North East and North Cumbria
ICS Formulary
 
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11 Eye

Preservative Free Eye Drops
Microbial contamination of multidose bottles of eye drops can cause eye infections that may lead to damage of the eye and in extreme cases loss of sight. To minimise the risk, multidose bottles of eye drops contain an antimicrobial preservative such as benzalkonium chloride. The preservatives used in eye drops are normally well tolerated, but they are not completely harmless. They can cause irritation and damage to the corneal epithelium. This risk is understood to be greater in patients with pre-existing damage to the ocular surface and where large quantities of preservative containing eye drops are applied repeatedly over a prolonged period (e.g. if applied more than 4 to 6 times daily for several weeks/ months).
To avoid these problems the use of preservative-free eye drops is recommended in:
 Patients who have experienced hypersensitivity reactions or irritation due to preservatives in eye drops.
 Patients who have received corneal grafts.
 Patients with conditions where there is already damage to the ocular surface as a result of disease or trauma, such as dry eye, blepharitis, ocular burns etc.
Treatment with preservative-free eye drops will usually be initiated by an ophthalmologist.

11-09 Contact lenses

Contact lenses are only provided on the NHS when there is a medical need. Usually this is when vision cannot be improved with spectacles, but can be improved with
contact lenses. The contact lens clinical staff at the RVI will assess eligibility. Examples of eligibility include some disorders of the cornea, very high prescriptions and
'bandage' lenses.

The following contact lens care products stocked for the care of contact lenses for patients attending the ophthalmology department at the RVI. GPs are not allowed to
prescribe contact lens solutions on the NHS.


Alcon Optifree® Express System
Formulary

Red View adult BNF  View SPC online  View childrens BNF
Bausch & Lomb contact lens solution Boston®
Formulary

Red View adult BNF  View SPC online  View childrens BNF
Bausch & Lomb saline Salette®
Formulary

Red View adult BNF  View SPC online  View childrens BNF
Clens 100®
Formulary

Red View adult BNF  View SPC online  View childrens BNF
Miraflow® daily cleaner
Formulary

Red View adult BNF  View SPC online  View childrens BNF
Oxysept® 1 Step
Formulary

Red View adult BNF  View SPC online  View childrens BNF
Systane®
Formulary

Red View adult BNF  View SPC online  View childrens BNF