Always follow the instructions that come with the eye drops, or the advice from your doctor.
Dosage
The usual dose of carmellose sodium eye drops for adults and children is 1 to 2 drops into the affected eye or eyes as needed.
You can use the drops as often as you need to. Ask a pharmacist or optometrist for advice if you're not sure how often to use carmellose sodium eye drops.
Carmellose sodium eye drops come in 2 different strengths:
- 0.5% (5mg per 1ml), recommended for mild symptoms
- 1% (10mg per 1ml), for moderate to severe symptoms
Carmellose sodium comes in an eye dropper bottle that may also contain preservative.
It's also available as single dose (or unit dose) eye dropper vials (small bottles). These do not contain preservatives.
How to use carmellose sodium eye drops
If you wear contact lenses, you may need to remove them before using your carmellose sodium eye drops, then wait 15 minutes after using the drops before putting the lenses back in.
The drops may make your vision blurred if you use them with contact lenses. Read the leaflet that comes with the eye drops.
To use carmellose sodium eye drops:
- Wash and dry your hands first.
- If you're using a bottle, remove the lid. If you're using the single-dose dropper, twist the top off.
- Make sure the tip of the bottle or dropper does not touch anything, including your eye, eyelashes, eyelid or skin.
- Use your finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid and tilt your head back.
- Hold the bottle or dropper over your eye, look up, and let 1 drop fall into your lower eyelid.
- Close your eye. Gently press your finger over the inside corner of your eye (over the eyelid) for about 1 minute. This helps to keep the drop in your eye.
- Wipe away any extra liquid with a clean tissue.
- Repeat in your other eye if you need to. There is enough liquid in 1 single-dose dropper to put a drop in both eyes if needed.
- Put the cap back on the bottle. If you're using the single-dose dropper, throw it away.
If you missed your eye when putting in the drop, you can try again straight away.
If you use carmellose sodium with other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using your other eye drops. The second eye drops can wash out the carmellose sodium and it may not work as well.
If you also use an eye ointment, always use your eye drops first and wait 5 minutes before using the ointment.
If you find it hard to use eye drops, ask a pharmacist or optometrist for advice. They may be able to recommend an eye drop dispenser to help. Brands include Autodrop, Opticare and Drop Aid Single Dose. Ask the pharmacist or optometrist which type is best for you.
Expiry dates and storage
Use the carmellose sodium eye drops before the expiry date on the bottle, and check the instructions to see how long they can be used for once you have opened the bottle.
It's important to check how long you can use it for after opening to prevent eye infections. Ask a pharmacist if you're not sure how long you can use the eye drops for.
Make a note of the date or time you opened the bottle or packet and the date or time it needs to be thrown away. This will help you to remember when you need to start using a new one.
Single dose or unit dose droppers should usually be used as soon as you open them and thrown away after 1 use. But you can reseal some brands and use them again up to 12 hours later, for example Carmize, Cellusan and Melophthal.
You can store carmellose sodium eye drops at room temperature. They do not need to be kept in a fridge.
How long to use it for
You can use carmellose sodium eye drops for as long as you need to.
If your dry eyes symptoms come and go, you can just use carmellose sodium eye drops when you need them. This is often caused by wearing contact lenses, air conditioned or heated buildings, or using computer screens for a long time.
You may need to use carmellose sodium eye drops long term if your dry eyes are caused by a condition such as:
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use your eye drops, use them when you need them next or when it's time for your next dose.
If you use too much
Using too many carmellose sodium eye drops should not cause problems.