About polyvinyl alcohol eye drops

Polyvinyl alcohol eye drops are also known as 'artificial tears'. They are used to relieve eye dryness and soreness, particularly where the dryness is caused by a reduced flow of tears. They moisten, soothe and lubricate the surface of your eye, making it feel more comfortable.

The drops are available on prescription, or you can buy them without a prescription at a pharmacy.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using the eye drops it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Se você usa lentes de contato gelatinosas.

• Se você já teve uma reação alérgica a um conservante em colírios.

1. Lave bem as mãos antes de usar as gotas.

2. Remove the cap from the bottle (or the tip of the unit if you are using a single-use dose unit).

3. Incline a cabeça um pouco para trás e puxe a pálpebra inferior do olho para baixo para formar uma bolsa.

4. Hold the bottle (or single-use dose unit) upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.

5. Aplique pressão suficiente para liberar uma gota no seu olho. Use uma segunda gota apenas se a primeira não tiver caído no seu olho.

6. Feche o olho por um ou dois minutos e pressione suavemente o lado do nariz onde o canto do olho encontra o nariz. Isso ajuda a evitar que a gota escorra e a mantém no olho.

7. Repita o processo no outro olho se lhe foi indicado usar as gotas em ambos os olhos.

8. Replace the cap (or if you are using a single-use dose unit, throw the used unit away).

• Before you start using the eye drops, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the pack. It will give you more information about using the drops and will provide a full list of the side-effects which you may experience.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected by dryness. Many people find it is sufficient to use the drops three or four times a day, but you can use the drops more frequently if your eyes are very dry. If the drops have been prescribed for you then follow the directions given by your doctor.

• Por favor, tenha cuidado para que o conta-gotas não toque seu olho, seus dedos ou qualquer outra superfície. Isso pode contaminar as gotas restantes no frasco.

• Se você esquecer de usar as gotas no seu horário 'usual', não se preocupe, apenas aplique-as quando se lembrar. Não 'duplique' o número de gotas que você usa para compensar o esquecimento.

• When first put in, eye drops may cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive, or before you use tools or machines.

• If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave about ten minutes between applying each one. It is usually recommended that you use the polyvinyl alcohol drops last. This is so that the drops stay in contact with your eye and lubricate it for as long as possible.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses while you are using the drops unless your doctor or pharmacist has advised you otherwise. This is because there is a preservative in bottles of polyvinyl alcohol eye drops which can affect soft contact lenses. There is no preservative in the single-use units of Liquifilm Tears®.

The eye drops can occasionally cause mild eye irritation or redness, but this usually soon passes and not everyone will experience it. If you experience any other eye problems, especially if you think they may be due to the drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

• Mantenha todos os medicamentos fora do alcance e da vista das crianças.

• Armazene em local fresco e seco, longe de calor e luz diretos.

• Most eye drops in bottles only keep for four weeks once the container has been opened, so do not use the drops if the bottle has been open for longer than this. This helps to reduce the risk of eye infection.

• Single-dose units should be used as soon as they are opened. Do not store an opened unit to use later. This is because the units do not contain any preservative.