Hypose

Indications

Hypromellose eye drops are artificial tears. They are used to relieve:

• Dry eyes, with burning, grittiness or tiredness
• Eye irritation from wind, dust, air conditioning, smoke or long screen use
• Dryness linked to too few tears, such as in Sjogren's syndrome or after some eye surgery

Hypromellose is also used inside many tablets and capsules as a coating; this write-up covers the eye drops.

How It Works

It makes a smooth, slightly thick layer over the surface of the eye that adds moisture, lubricates the eye when blinking and protects it from irritation. It does not contain any active drug.

Dosage and Administration

Adults and children: usually 1 or 2 drops in each affected eye 3 to 4 times a day, or more often as needed. Wash your hands, tilt your head back, pull the lower eyelid down and place the drop in the pocket. Close the eye gently for a minute. Do not let the tip of the bottle touch the eye or skin.

Interactions

No important interactions are known. If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between them, and use eye ointments last.

Contraindications

Allergy to Hypromellose or any ingredient of the drops, including the preservative.

Side Effects

Brief blurred vision, mild stinging, or sticky eyelashes just after use. Some people react to the preservative with redness or irritation.

Stop using and get urgent medical help if you have eye pain, a change in vision, sensitivity to light, or redness or swelling that gets worse, or swelling of the face, lips or throat.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Hypromellose is not absorbed into the body in meaningful amounts and is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Precautions and Warnings

• Remove soft contact lenses before use and wait about 15 minutes before putting them back, unless the product is preservative-free and labelled for use with lenses.
• Vision may blur for a short time; do not drive until it clears.
• If symptoms last more than a few days, or if the eye is painful or red, see a doctor, as dry eye can have other causes.
• Do not share eye drops.

Overdose

Using extra drops is not harmful. If swallowed by accident, it is unlikely to cause harm; contact a doctor if a child swallows a large amount.

Therapeutic Class

Eye lubricant (tear substitute).

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Keep the bottle tightly closed and throw it away 28 days after opening, or as the leaflet states.