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Optrex eye drops containing benzalkonium chloride

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neil62961
neil62961

Hi all,

I was searching for remedies for blepharitis when I stumbled across this site. I have recently started using Optrex refreshing eye drops and they seem to really help. I see people are talking about benzalkonium chloride and lo and behold when I checked the ingredients of these eye drops, they have this in them.

So I thought I'd just mention that this is a product designed specifically for the eyes that contains this substance.

The box says "Refreshing eyedrops for tired eyes" and the "for tired eyes" is on a green background.

Just for reference, my condition isn't too bad, I just get inflamed eye lids and a "burning" sensation in my eyes and I need to keep blinking constantly. It's more annoying than anything else. I do the usual eye cleaning and warming but these eye drops are certainly helping as well.

Hope that helps

Neil

2 likes, 91 replies

91 Replies

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  • judith8888
    judith8888

    Posted

    Good morning all - Neil and Lynda79 in particular. Thank you so much for the recommendation about the Optrex Refreshing eye drops. It was you Lynda, who suggested just putting the drops kind of on the eye lid very close the the lashes - and I can't believe it but this really helps so much. Thank you again for taking the time to reply - it means a lot. All the very best, Judith.
  • marjorie87857
    marjorie87857

    Posted

    Hi Neil, Lynda & Natalie

    This is my first post but I've been following your discussion for some time! I was diagnosed with Blepharitis last summer and I have had antibiotics both oral & drops, I've done ALL the recommended procedures meticulously but my eyes continue to look swollen & discoloured. They tire very easily [ just writing this on screen will make them sore!] They ache, feel gritty , feel dry,itch& water.

    I have had rare days where I think I might be seeing an improvement but then the next day they're worse. I use Hylo forte eye drops which do help the dryness a little but on the strength of what I've read here I got some of the Pptrex drops & have put one drop in each eye morning & night & also cleaned the lashes/eye rims with them too. This morning my eyelids are definitely not as swollen & again I'm hoping beyond hope that this might signal an improvement.........pleeeeease!!!

    I noticed that several brands of eye drops contain Benzalkonium Chloride though none of them say how much. I would think that the Wet Ones may contain more than the drops but the drops seemed a safer option to try first.

    Thank you all so much for passing in this information & I'lllet you all know how get on after a few more days!! Hoe you all continue to see improvement. Marjorie

    • catherine45996
      catherine45996 marjorie87857

      Posted

      dear marjorie i have suffered for many a year and even attended the eye clinic at my local hospital for quite some time and got so fed up of putting stuff in my eyes one day i decided for my skin to use bio-oil it took a few days for me to realize that i hadnt put any drops in my eyes so i have been using it eversince(3yrs) i put it all over my face every morning after i wash and roundabout teatime i wash my hands and with my fingertips i rub both eyes and you can feel the little crystals on your fingertips i then reapply the oil it hasnt cured it but i am so so very comfortable no more going to bed at 8pm just to get to close my eyes my family couldnt believe the change in me as i wasnt as grumpy as bletherites can drag you down and if anyone out there tries this please let me know as i know how horrid that condition can be if it wasnt for the oil i would have gone crazy regards to all cathie
  • lynda79
    lynda79

    Posted

    Dear Marjorie and Judith,

    The eye drops that use BAK (Benzalkonium Chloride as a preservative) I found it to be .01%. The Wet Ones antibacterial handwipes are .03%. The difference is you don't put them into the eye only on the affected area such as eyelashes and bottom rim of eyelid.

    This week I was looking up the the preservative in Optive which was Purite (ggogled it). I found that most eye medicine and eyedrops have been using BAK for years. Here's a quote from that info.

    "BAK does an excellent job of inhibiting bacterial growth, but its detergent nature causes short- and long-term side effects."

    This is especially true if persons use more than one med with it in it. Two points to be made here. One is why put it in the eye. Kill it where it is--on the eyelashes, etc. It only takes a few months and not all your life. You need only to use eyedrops for lubrication.

    Second I found that Purite may not do what it is should do if you have dry eyes. That's us. It is to vanish when it hits your eyes.

    Good news! There are 2 products for the eye drops (lubricatiion ones) that use no preservatives.

    REFRESH ENDURA and REFRESH PLUS.

    If the doctors put .01% in your eye why not try .03% on the outside of your eye to kill it. That is if you are not allergic to shampoo, handwipes, detergents or fabric softners or spermicidal jellies. Two of us no longer have this and Honjon on this site used a different handwipe and is killing it because it is an ammonium salt or compound too. Please look at his information.

    Just google Optive and Purite and you can find this info too. This BAK is in the steriods too at .01% except for FML Forte (fluorometholone 0.25%) which was only .005%.

    Hope this information helps you.

    Lynda79

    • judith8888
      judith8888 lynda79

      Posted

      Hi Lynda - well I'm back from holidays and must say my eyes have behaved really well!! I use the lacrilube every night before going to sleep and am nervous not to use it as it is at night when my eyes are painful.  However, I must say I've been using a lot less lately so that's got to be good.  As you suggested I've been putting the Optrex on my eyelids every morning (on closed eyes) and maybe again later if I remember.  I am certain that has helped and my eyes are the best they've been for over a year.  Thank you all once again, for the help advice and support - it's been a wonderful experience being able to discuss a horrible problem with people who understand.  All the best, Judith.
    • lynda79
      lynda79 judith8888

      Posted

      Dear Judith,

      You should give the hand wipes a try as they killed the Blepharitis for me.

      Honjon jused the UK ones and they are killing it for him too.

      Just takes a few months and it willbe gone. It is bacterial or else these wipes would not work. My friend used a facial scrub with Benzethonium Chloride in it and killed it for her. They no longer make it that way so I ended up using the wipes with that ingredient in it (Benzethonium Chloride) in them.

      I was able to wear mascara and kill it at the same time. If you need that info let me know. Two people using 2 different products with Benzethonium Chloride in it have Blepharitis no longer. Others using the other wipes (UK) are doing the same.

      Hope you give it a try as it is killable.

      Thinking of you,

      Lynda79

    • sophie41565
      sophie41565 lynda79

      Posted

      Hello Lynda - Am I right in thinking that in England we can only get the blue packet (which has Benzalkonium Chloride) and in the USA they have the red packets (with Benzethonium chloride) so which is best?! Bit worried because I found a site that said Benzalkonium can damage your eyesight

      Regards Sophie

    • lynda79
      lynda79 sophie41565

      Posted

      Dear Sophie,

      I used the ones with Benzethonium Chloride and Honjon used the ones in the UK with Benzalkonium Chloride in them.

      They do not go in the eyes. If you use steroids they have in then .01% BAK (Benzalkonium Chloride as a presevative. This goes into the eyes. What I read on-line was that over a long period of time (and if using 2 items with BAK in it) it can cause damage to the eye. People use these meds for years.

      The wipes only go on the eyelash area to kill the staphylococcus. Honjon on this site used the UK wipes.

      You can also use preservative free eye drops for lubrication now. They had BAK in it too.

      If you google Quats and Blepharitis you will see that staphylococcus is the cause and Quats kill it.

      If you are not allergic to soap items such as shampoos, detergents, fabric softeners or spermicidal jellies or hand wipes you should be OK.

      Try them on your hands or skin first.

      Hope this info helps.

      Lynda79

    • lynda79
      lynda79 sophie41565

      Posted

      Dear Sophie and everyone,

      I just found out today that the wipes sold in the UK have .3% Benzalkonium Chloride in them. The ones I used in US, as I have posted, have .03% Benzethonium Chloride in them. That is a huge difference.

      Please order on-line the safer ones that I used.

      Thinking of everyone,

      Lynda79

    • vanessa02778
      vanessa02778 lynda79

      Posted

      Hi Lynda,

      I have just come on to the site, i think you are right and that it would be better to use the optrex eye drops on the lash line ( not in the eyes due to the BAK !

      have you heard of the blepasteam goggles ?

      I think the problem that Peaple are having with the skin  of the under eye area could be due to rubing and pulling off the sensitive thin skin that is in my case puffy and inflamed.

      best wishes Vanessa uk.

       

  • judith8888
    judith8888

    Posted

    Good morning Lynda79 - WOW - what a super post, thank you so much and for taking the time to give all that info. I'm going on holiday on Monday so will do all the Googling! when I come home!

    My problem started just after my trip this time last year to Sri Lanka. I blamed all the air con and humidity and my Dr seems to agree (but not entirely - the coincidence is too obvious for me not to think positively) so this holiday I am going to Abu Dhabi where there will be less humidity but still the need for air con.

    Maybe I should just walk around and sleep with an eye mask on!! Only joking, but I will be really careful and take my Optrex with me too. Thank you again and will be in touch when I come home. Bye for now, Judith

  • grace02059
    grace02059 neil62961

    Posted

    Hi Neil Lynda etc

    my daughter yesterday was diagnosed with blepharitis.? We are from Sydney Australia . She had been complaining for the last week with pressure in the right eye and the light was starting to effect her . We went yo our gp on Thursday he prescribed drops. These did not help so yesterday we went off to the eye hospital in Sydney. After hours of waiting we finally got yo see a dr who examined my daughter and said that she has like gravel across both eyes and that it is blephritis. Then he asked for a second opinion from another colleague who did not openly say it was. Anyway they sent us home with he baby shampoo eye wash and or the bi carb soda eye wash yo be done twice per day plus celluvisc lubricant eye drops 1 drop in each eye every hour for 7 days and also lacrilube which I discovered today that it has been discontinued in Australia so I was given poly visc in place by the pharmacist I was annoyed at the fact the the doctor from the eye hospital did not know that they had been discontinued. I have been reading the forum and that Lynda 79 has been talking about wet ones which company of wet ones are you talking about cause so far since last night I have spent $70.00 on products not that this is a problem as long as the treatment is going to help 

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK grace02059

      Posted

      Hi Grace

      Just a comment.....I'm in the UK and lacrilube hasnt been discontinued here. Why was it discontinued do you know?

      Have you got a tube of it or not??? If you have.....I was given it by one eye specialist and the 2nd one I saw said it was no good at all but it was excellent for itchy eyelids or it was a good moisturiser for eye lides {not in the eye} LOL So I use it sparingly for that.

      Good luck with finding a cure.....Linda is the expert on thiswink

      Love

      Eileen

    • grace02059
      grace02059 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      No I have no tube at all. But like I said she was diagnosed last might so yes fingers crossed lets see how we go. Not too happy with diagnosis as the first doctor said it is the other said not really but to follow the treatment plan anyway but if it continues I will take her to my optometrist who will send me to a specialist who hopefully will give us the proper diagnosis. Have you used the wet ones that were mentioned earlier
    • lynda79
      lynda79 grace02059

      Posted

      Dear Grace,

      I know you are worried. I am the mother of 4.

      If your daughter is not allergic to shampoo, detergents, fabric softners, handwipes then she should be able to use these wipes.

      I am going to copy to this page why they work:

       What causes blepharitis?

      There are three main types of blepharitis: staphylococcal blepharitis, seborrhoeic blepharitis and meibomian blepharitis. All three types can cause similar symptoms.

      Staphylococcal blepharitis

      This type of blepharitis is thought to be caused by a bacterium (germ) called staphylococcus. This bacterium commonly lives in low numbers on the skin without doing any harm. However, in some people, it seems that this bacterium causes a localised infection of the eyelids, resulting in blepharitis. Exactly why this happens in some people is unclear.

      Quats are effective in destroying a broad spectrum of harmful microorganisms. They are effective in killing the following microorganisms while cleaning the surfaces upon which they reside – all in one simple step.

      1.                   Gram negative and gram positive bacteria like salmonella typhi, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus epidermidis and pseudomonas aeruginosa,

      2.                   viruses like HIV-1, Herpes simplex 1 and 2

      3.                   Antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria including methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

      4.                   and fungi like trichophyton interdigitale (athlete’s foot).

       I did not rinse it off after rubbing each eyelash area 2 times. I did this 4 times a day for a week and a half. I then went down to 3 times a day for a month. I then used them 2 times a day for several month. I used the handwipes with Benzethonium Chloride in them at .03%.

      Others have used the handwipes sold in the UK with Benzalkonium Chloride in them and they both work as both are Quats.

      Google this info for yourself. The wipes also have lanolin in them and  1 young man was allergic to that.

      This is a $20.00 cure someone told me. She said she spend thousands of dollars. Be sure and use 2 wash cloths each times you wash the eyes. I used white wash cloth (to put in the bleach load).

      Yes, you can infect the other eye. I did that.

      The first person to kill this used an facial scrub with Benzethonium Chloride in it. When I tried to buy it, they no longer made it with that in it so I looked on line as to what other products had Benzethonium Chloride in it. The rest is history. I

      I have a tox report if you need that too. This does not go in the eye.

      Eye meds like steroids have .01% BAK (Benalkonium Chloride) in them as a preservative.

      Wish you relief soon.

      Lynda79

       

    • grace02059
      grace02059 lynda79

      Posted

      Thankyou lynda79 i  appreciate your feedback I will also get me daughter to read this and I will get the wipes today will be in touch again I thankyou
    • lynda79
      lynda79 grace02059

      Posted

      Dear Grace,

      Thank you for getting back to me and I hope your daughter gets relief. It is almost immediate relief but does take a few months to actually kill it. I was a desperate person who was willing to try almost anything. Oh, by the way rubbing alcohol does not work. See what I mean.

      When my daughter said her mother-in-law killed it I jumped on it right away. Like I said I looked on-line for a product. The rest is history.

      My grandson laughed and laughed when he saw me typing and said he could not believe I was blogging (actually posting I learned).

      Some young person told me about it. So I jumped right in.

      I have several sites that don't want me to post up.

      They are going to hate it if we find the antibiotic that works.

      Europe is about 15 years ahead of the US in medicine, I was told by a friend. I believe it.

      Enough of my going on.

      I wish your family relief soon.

      Lynda79

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lynda79

      Posted

      HI Lynda79

       just a quick post to see how you are keeping? also to let you know my eyes are coming on a treat!! M/I/Ls eyes are not to bad (she has hayfever now)!!! but not as bad as they were hopefuly when hayfever passes she will see a difference? well as i said just a quick one  so keep safe and hope to hear from you soon jeanetterolleyes xx

    • lynda79
      lynda79 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Dear Jeanette,

      Doing good here. Glad to hear the 2 of you are on the mend too.

      I can't wait to hear when others are cleared of this infection too.

      Often, most people will just quit posting when they are well. So hope a couple more tell others they are well.

      Thank you for your time to post your results. Makes my day to hear good news.

      Thinking of you,

      Lynda79

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lynda79

      Posted

      Dear Lynda79

      I will keep you posted on our progress(M/I/L) and myself  and so glad  i found this site because now i can use mascara again.  and getting the throw away wands is so good as i threw all my other make up out and started again and no more red and sore eyes!!! if i feel it start to itch i just use the wet ones three times instead of twice a day so easy now.        Thinking of you and hope you keep on posting  and i will keep you up to date  jeanette rolleyes                                                                                                                            

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lynda79

      Posted

      Hi Lynda79

      I know it has been a while since i put a post to you but i have still been reading them.First things first and to ask how you are doing well i hope?I am still using the wet ones and als the optrex eye drops for tired eyes and it is still working.  Just now and again i get the itchy feeling and that is when i up the times i clean my eyes from twice a day to  three and it is ok again!! On another note m/i/l she was doing good and then she went in to hospital a few times and she is back to having sore eyes!! I will not leave it so long next time to get a post to you and i hope you are well

      so thinking of you and you take care and hope to hear from you soon jeanette xxsmile

       

    • lynda79
      lynda79 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Dear Jeanette,

      Things are OK here. Sorry to hear you have not killed it off. In US they have put them in yellow package now. Same ingedients when I checked the back.

      Taking care of someone in a rest home and they stole all her clothes.

      I had to buy new ones for her. Never thought to look at clothes. Who steals from people who have nothing.

      People who have loved ones in homes should look at clothes and take count.

      Needless to say I have been shopping and going by to see her even more often now.

      Hope your m/i/l is going to be better soon too.

      Your friend,

      Lynda

       

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lynda79

      Posted

      Dear Lynda

      pleased to hear things are ok with you. m/i/l has been in hospital a couple of times and she has had clothes gone missing. The first time she went in her good dressing gown,her glasses which she was lost with out them.The second time her clothes went trousers,jumper and even the tube for her inhalers as she has trouble using them properly. People will take anything!!! Hope she is ok?I have more good days than bad now so i am getting there.Are they still the wet ones? I have been having trouble with internet so that is why i am so long in answering!! I hope your friend does not get her clothes taken again.Are you still clear i cant wait for that day to come!!! well i hope to hear from you soon and take care of yourself it was good to get a post off you  your friend jeanette

       

    • lynda79
      lynda79 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Dear Jeanette,

      Yes, I am not having any trouble with my eyes except they are still dry and so I use the preservative free drops. They are more expensive.

      I used the wipes on aa regular basis for over 3 months. I did not miss a day until I stopped using them. The problem was there must have been a section (or eyelash) that bothered me one time and then one more. I jumped on it for just a day or two then it was gone for good.

      This is not a hit and miss thing as will never go away.

      Nice to hear from you and I hope your M/I/L gets better soon.

      Your friend,

      Lyndaa

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lynda79

      Posted

      Dear Lynda good to hear you are still virtualy free. What make is the eye drops? I use optrex for tired eyes i would try the preservative free ones to see if they are better.You dont mind paying a little bit more if they are going to help!! I still have what looks like a small stye on eye lid will not go away! My eyes sometimes get red and sore if  a little tired (cant sleep) other health issues!!!  If they feel the least bit sore or itchy i use the wet ones more often. M/i/l is a lot better now and i hope you are looking after yourself? It is really good to hear from you and look forward to your next post

      So you take care and hope to hear from you soon your friend

      jeanette  rolleyes

       

    • lynda79
      lynda79 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Dear Jeanette,

      The name of the preservative free eye drops is: Refresh Plus.

      They have about 6-7 drops in them. Hitting your eye is the problem.

      Well worth the trouble especially if using any other eye meds like steroids that have preservatives in them.

      You don't want to double up on the preservatives because they can cause problems over a long period of time I read online.

      I switched my dad and myself to the preservative free ones.

      Wish you the best.

      Lynda

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lynda79

      Posted

      Dear Lynda

      I will try those eye drops and see what happens at the moment i am using optrex refreshing eye drops for tired eyes. I am not using other eye meds just the drops and wet ones and will keep you posted when i start and use them and how i am getting on with them.  How is the friend you visit who"s clothes went missing?

      hope to hear from you soon

      your friend smile

      jeanette

    • lynda79
      lynda79 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Dear Jeanette,

      The friend in the rest home is in her 90's so I go every other day now and have to mix up the times I go to check on her. I usually go so that I can feed her lunch myself .

      I have replaced all her clothes and now I have to stand guard to keep them there. Spot checking them. I had to order her some special nightgowns online so she would be warm. I had bought her PJs but they are too lazy to put them on so had to get the special gowns for their ease of use for people in a rest home.

      She has no children so I am her voice now. Sometimes you have to fight for your friend's basic needs. Who knew?

      Thanks for asking and I hope you keep at the Blepharitis and kill it off.

      I think the amount of Benzethonium Chloride is low and that is why it takes a while to get rid of it. Better for the safety of the eyes, though.

      Wish you well soon and your M/I/L too.

      Your friend,

      Lynda

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lynda79

      Posted

      Hi Lynda

      It is really shocking when you have  to do that in this day and age stand guard and check them it makes you wonder what else goes on?Good job she has you as a friend and to stand up for her other wise it does not bear thinking what would happen to her!! Have you known her long? Well fingers x i havebeen ok for a while have not found the other drops but will keep looking and just use he drops i have for now. They are still 100% better than they were. M/I/L is getting there with her eyes. She had trouble with stair lift on tue. broke and she lives in upstairs flat was on the phone for more than 1hr trying to get it fixed!! I was passed from one to the other. When i phoned s/services and asked if they would replace it if it could not be fixed they said no because it is not council property it is housing association property she is 87 this month!!.(but i kept calm)just!! Hubby was proud lol.It seems as if you are a good friend.

      Well i wish you and your friend well and hope to hear from you soon

      So you take care

      your friend

      jeanette xxrolleyes

       

    • lynda79
      lynda79 jeanette43594

      Posted

      Dear Jeanette,

      I have known her for over 7 years. Someone else was taking care of her and she was dying. I was helping the person who was dying so found out about her. She has no children or relatives. Who would in your 90s?

      She is getting close to the 100 mark in a couple of years. She may out live me.

      We are to help widows and orphans not steal their clothes from them. People are going from bad to worse.

      I benefit as I made a new friend.

      Hope you can get your items you need for your M/I/L. It is hard to not have independence when you get old.

      Hope people give the wipes a chance as I know how horrible the Blepharitis can be. Let me know how you get on with your eyes.

      Your friend,

      Lynda

    • jeanette43594
      jeanette43594 lynda79

      Posted

      Will keep on with the wet ones and as for

      M/I/L she had to pay to get stair lift fixed! Old man across the road from her was robbed 2/3wks ago.One kept him talking another

      went upstairs and took his bit pension he is nearly 90 but very active!!Just have to keep a look out for the eye drops so will keep you posted 😊

      Your friend

      Jeanette xx😊

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