Carbomer

Carbomer gel stays on the eye longer than drops, so it is chosen for marked dryness and at night. The AEMPS ficha técnica gives the indication as symptomatic relief of eye irritation and dryness in adults: one drop 2 to 4 times a day or whenever discomfort appears. The 2016 Cochrane review of over-the-counter artificial tears found that the group relieves symptoms and showed no convincing differences between formulations; the 2017 TFOS DEWS II report also places tear substitutes at the first step, leaving the choice of form to tolerance. There is one practical difference from drops: the gel blurs vision for 5 to 10 minutes, so driving right after instillation is unwise. In keratoconjunctivitis sicca the ficha asks for ophthalmologist follow-up – the condition is usually chronic.

ICD-10: H04.1

In conjunctivitis carbomer gel is sometimes used to ease the soreness. It does not treat the infection – it contains no substance with pharmacological activity. In viral conjunctivitis a lubricating film eases the sensation while the illness clears on its own; in bacterial conjunctivitis the antibiotic decision belongs to a doctor. The ficha técnica warns about technique: the tube tip must not touch the eye or any surface, otherwise the gel is contaminated and becomes a source of infection itself. Examination is needed for pain, light sensitivity, reduced vision, injury or iris inflammation. If the gel was offered as conjunctivitis treatment instead of an examination, consider seeking a second opinion from an ophthalmologist.

ICD-10: H10.0 · ICD-11: 9A60.3