Refresh Celluvisc Contacts Safety

Refresh Celluvisc is an excellent artificial tear for severely dry eyes. Its high viscosity allows it to remain in the eye for several minutes after use. This property causes it to stick to contact lenses, making them difficult to see through.

Purpose

• Refresh Celluvisc is intended for use in patients with extremely dry eyes. It is free of preservatives, enabling it to be used safely as often as is necessary for relief from dryness.

Problem

• Refresh Celluvisc's manufacturer and WebMD both advise the removal of contact lenses before using Refresh Celluvisc. If Refresh Celluvisc is used while wearing contact lenses, the drop will bind to the lens and leave a thick film over the contact lens. This film is difficult, sometimes impossible, to remove. It can ruin a pair of soft contact lenses.

Prevention/Solution

• Many patients with moderately dry eyes still choose to wear contact lenses. In this case, the eye doctor may recommend using Refresh Celluvisc first thing in the morning. After using the eye drops, the patients must wait at least 10 minutes before inserting their contact lenses. Refresh Celluvisc can be used again that night, after the contact lenses have been removed.