Brand names: Advanced Eye Relief Dry Eye, Alcon Tears, Artelac Nighttime, Artificial Tears, Bion Tears, Patients may find some of the delivery systems quite difficult to use so selection may depend upon the dispenser type as much as the lubricant it contains. Prescriptions must be written on an Authority Prescription Form, and the approval number must be noted on the prescription. Pharmacists cannot dispense the item as a pharmaceutical benefit unless it has been approved by Medicare Australia (indicated by the presence of the approval number). This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.

Preservative free eye drop preparations can be recommended by ophthalmology specialists when a patient is on multiple different eye drops to minimise ocular exposure to preservative. Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect. Some PBS medications are restricted and require prior approval from Medicare before a doctor is able to prescribe them on the PBS. This prior approval to prescribe grants the doctor the Authority to prescribe the desired medicine and have it funded under the PBS.If your eye irritation persists or gets worse after using these drops, or you experience a headache, eye pain, vision changes or continued redness, you should stop using these eye drops and consult your doctor.

Optive eye drops contain the two active ingredients - carmellose sodium, which is a type of medicine known as an eye lubricant, and glycerol, which acts as a moisturiser. The Hylo-Tear® (0.1%)& Hylo-Forte® (0.2%) brands are manufactured in a COMOD device which may prove difficult to use in those with dexterity problems. These products have a six month expiry once opened (if used in hospital a 14 day expiry remains)Optive Fusion Eye Drop is an eye lubricant or artificial tears used to relieve dry eyes. This can happen because not enough tears are made to keep the eye lubricated. It helps to soothe the irritation and burning seen in dry eyes by maintaining proper lubrication of the eyes. There are no other eye drops that contain both carmellose sodium and glycerol as the active ingredients. Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. Authority to prescribe an Authority medicine is granted for specific indications and/or for certain patient circumstances. Authority may be obtained by telephone to Medicare Australia (known as "phone approval") or in writing from an authorised delegate of the Minister for Health. After putting in the eye drops you may get slightly blurred vision or a mild stinging sensation. If your vision is affected it is recommended that you do not drive or use any machinery until your vision has cleared. These eye drops are unlikely to have any harmful effect when used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, as with all medicines, these drops should be used with caution by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and only on the advice of a doctor. The 0.4% unit dose vials are restricted to those using artificial tears >4 times per day and who struggle to use the COMOD eyebottle device

Fact Box

Optive Fusion Eye Drop is usually taken when needed. Use the number of drops as advised by your doctor. Wait for at least 5-10 minutes before delivering any other medication in the same eye to avoid dilution. Do not use a bottle if the seal is broken before you open it. Always wash your hands and do not touch the end of the dropper. This could infect your eye. This medicine may require long-term use and can be taken safely for as long as you need it. Some drugs may have Authority Required (Streamlined) status which does not require an explicit approval from Medicare, instead the doctor can use the Authority code found in the published Schedule for a given drug/indication. It is considered appropriate for Independent Prescribing Optometrists to prescribe or recommend prescribing of any licensed Green or Amber traffic light medicines within this Chapter of the formulary that are also within their recognised area of expertise and competence. These eye drops should not be used for more than six months after the bottle is first opened. This is because after this time they could be contaminated with dirt or germs that could cause eye infections. Write the date of opening on the bottle so you know when to throw them away. Dispose of them carefully, preferably by returning them to your pharmacy.