I've become best friends with Biotene.
I've just been using the cheapest artificial tears I can find (walmart)....There is a HUGE price range for these things. WHY is that?Are you really getting what you paid for?? What is the difference between $9 drops and $2 drops?
My next question is that I've heard y'all mention overnight eye ointment. What is this made of and where can you get it. And could you use something like beeswax instead? Or petrolatum.?
thanks for the advice.
Cynthia
So let me start with the eye drops. If you're using lubricating drops more than 4 times/day, you likely should be using preservative free (more expensive) drops. Generic is fine.
For overnight, a lot of people like to use the ointment. I've found this in the eye care section, and find it really helps when I'm going through a rough spell. I would not use stuff that's not designed for your eyes, as I would be worried about impurities.
The overnight ointment that I use has no active ingredient, such as steroids. It's just the lubricant.
So is it necessary to get a prescription for the ointment?
I know I desperately need to use something. Got up this morning and my eyes are blood red.
Tez_20 said:
I've never add the lubricant ones they've tried me on two different ones and both steriods and they do burn.
Stoney said:The overnight ointment that I use has no active ingredient, such as steroids. It's just the lubricant.
ok and if they are generic, then they will only cost me $5
well the name brand is $55 and I can't afford that
Tez_20 said:
I know what you mean but the products not made the same as a proper branded name, that's why they come in cheaper as they're only like the original brand....here's the difference on them.
- The brand name is the name given to a medicine by the pharmaceutical company that makes it. This is also called the proprietary name.
- The generic name or scientific name is the name for the active ingredient in the medicine that is decided by an expert committee and is understood internationally. This is also called the non-proprietary name.
Qadosh2him said:ok and if they are generic, then they will only cost me $5
It's not my eyeball that's red...it's the lower eyelid.
Qadosh2him said:
well the name brand is $55 and I can't afford that
Tez_20 said:I know what you mean but the products not made the same as a proper branded name, that's why they come in cheaper as they're only like the original brand....here's the difference on them.
- The brand name is the name given to a medicine by the pharmaceutical company that makes it. This is also called the proprietary name.
- The generic name or scientific name is the name for the active ingredient in the medicine that is decided by an expert committee and is understood internationally. This is also called the non-proprietary name.
Qadosh2him said:ok and if they are generic, then they will only cost me $5
My cornea specialist recommends Genteal night-time ointment, available over the counter. He also recommends eyelid scrubs and warm compresses twice a day and fish oil supplements. He says no bottled tears, only the individual vials to make sure that you are getting preservative free drops.
The Walmart drops have preservatives in them.
I had "plugs" put in my lower eyelids to stimulate moisture and those have helped very much.
Thanks for all this advice. Here in the US your insurance company dictates how much of the gel or drops ormouth rinse you may buy. If it is anything that requiresa prescription, my insurance company will only allow me to purchase one month's supply. If it is over the counter then you don't have that limitation. I was looking on Amazon for the Biotene products. They did not seem to be much or any less expensive than were the ones I bought in my local grocery store. I will ask my pharmacist about buying them in bulk.
ONe thing I wanted to ask is whether the spray mouth rinse can be purchased in a large bottle and then just used to refill the small spray bottles? I was unable to find it. They do have big botttles of mouth rinse but I don't know if they can be swallowed like you can the spray rinse. Any advice on that?
I have been washing my eyes with the baby shampoo and the cotton "rounds" (pads).today my upper and lower lids are itching. I hope nothing is brewing there.
I am compiling a list of questions to ask my opthamologist when I see him the 21st of this month. That will be the day when he determines whether or not I have glaucoma. I really hate having to wait a whole month without any answers on that question.
Thanks Kaz for your words of wisdom
I would not suggest putting petroleum or beeswax in your eyes without consulting an eye dr. As those are not made for eyes, you never know what they would do to your eyes.
Josh
The ointments I've used contain only one ingredient -- petrolatum -- so it is baffling to me why a tiny tube of ointment would cost more than a big tub of Vaseline. One thing I've done (as recommended by another Sjogie) is to rub vaseline all around my eye area p including lids and under eyes -- before I go to bed. It seems to help. I certainly don't put it in my eyes -- wen I put ointment in my eyes, I always use the stuff made specifically for eyes, out of caution.
My eyes are so far gone...I can't make out a single word on the labels. It's a real problem. Maybe I should get a magnifying glass and keep it in my pocketbook.
Before using baby shampoo to wash your eyelids, read the ingredients. My doctor advises against using it.
I order dry mouth products from Dentist.net. Much cheaper than at the store and if you order over $75 it ships free.
Qadosh2him said:
Thanks for all this advice. Here in the US your insurance company dictates how much of the gel or drops ormouth rinse you may buy. If it is anything that requiresa prescription, my insurance company will only allow me to purchase one month's supply. If it is over the counter then you don't have that limitation. I was looking on Amazon for the Biotene products. They did not seem to be much or any less expensive than were the ones I bought in my local grocery store. I will ask my pharmacist about buying them in bulk.
ONe thing I wanted to ask is whether the spray mouth rinse can be purchased in a large bottle and then just used to refill the small spray bottles? I was unable to find it. They do have big botttles of mouth rinse but I don't know if they can be swallowed like you can the spray rinse. Any advice on that?
I have been washing my eyes with the baby shampoo and the cotton "rounds" (pads).today my upper and lower lids are itching. I hope nothing is brewing there.
I am compiling a list of questions to ask my opthamologist when I see him the 21st of this month. That will be the day when he determines whether or not I have glaucoma. I really hate having to wait a whole month without any answers on that question.
Thanks Kaz for your words of wisdom
I visited Dentist.net and found that their prices are almost across the board a full dollar per item higher than my local grocery store--which I get delivered to me without cost. I'm sticking with them Although I do want to get an eye ointment. Maybe when I see the eye doc he can direct me as to where to get it and what to get.
Where do you live? Here in Oregon, the only time I can get Biotene products cheaper is when they are on sale buy one get one.
Qadosh2him said:
I visited Dentist.net and found that their prices are almost across the board a full dollar per item higher than my local grocery store--which I get delivered to me without cost. I'm sticking with them Although I do want to get an eye ointment. Maybe when I see the eye doc he can direct me as to where to get it and what to get.
I live in NE PA in the Pocono mountains. There is a Shop Rite in NY state not far from me..and they frequently have them on sale but even their normal price is less than Dentist,net and even cheaper than Amazon.
Felter said:
Where do you live? Here in Oregon, the only time I can get Biotene products cheaper is when they are on sale buy one get one.
Qadosh2him said:I visited Dentist.net and found that their prices are almost across the board a full dollar per item higher than my local grocery store--which I get delivered to me without cost. I'm sticking with them Although I do want to get an eye ointment. Maybe when I see the eye doc he can direct me as to where to get it and what to get.
My eyes are extremely dry. A cornea specialist has me using Restasis eye drops 4x's a day and over the counter artificial tears as needed in addition to the prescription drops. I did have punctal plugs in my tear ducts, however they "pushed" themselves out! After months of having them inserted into the lower ducts, I noticed them sticking out a little, this kept getting worse so I went to the cornea ophthalmologist. She said it was fine, removed them completely and said a type of scar tissue had formed, causing them to be pushed out. She said it wasn't that common but now they had sealed themselves off, so that was a good side effect! No problem with the Restasis, works well for me. Wishing everyone clear and moist vision!
Did your doctor probe the tear ducts to make sure that they are now blocked? I had to have mine cauterized after a couple of years of plugs.
babs53 said:
My eyes are extremely dry. A cornea specialist has me using Restasis eye drops 4x's a day and over the counter artificial tears as needed in addition to the prescription drops. I did have punctal plugs in my tear ducts, however they "pushed" themselves out! After months of having them inserted into the lower ducts, I noticed them sticking out a little, this kept getting worse so I went to the cornea ophthalmologist. She said it was fine, removed them completely and said a type of scar tissue had formed, causing them to be pushed out. She said it wasn't that common but now they had sealed themselves off, so that was a good side effect! No problem with the Restasis, works well for me. Wishing everyone clear and moist vision!