Its almost two months since I had PRK. Since I had the surgery, I been using Bion Tears about 6+ times a day, more so when I am on the computer.

Just recently, like last week or so. I noticed, that when I put in a drop from the Bion Tears, it actually make my vision worst. It would go blurry for a bit, half and hour maybe?

Was curious of any other PRK patients experience this during their post-healing.

I had a similar experience.I used Systane for about 2 weeks and loved it.It started causing irritation and decreased acuity.Called the Dr.'s office.They suggested I switch to Refresh Tears or GenTeal.I tried both.Refresh worked for me.Still use at with good results.Currently on day 56.

Which Refresh tears did you purchase. I see Refresh Plus also.

I use Refresh Tears several times a day.Now just past 2 months since surgery.I find the dryness to be gradually decreasing.I use Refresh LiquiGel as the overnighter.

I'm going to try the Refresh Plus. The Endura is a whopping $16 for 20 vials!

I use Refresh liquigel for daytime, I don't know if your surgeon told u that all eye drops make your eyes blurry for a period of time because they are moisterizing your eyes. Honestly the other drops I was given to try and bought in the individual containers did not help or soothe my pain, irritation, I tried Allergans liquigel and I feel great. Sam's Club members can get two bottles at a great price and they last quite awhile. After a brief time my eyes clear up and feel great , but I had traditional Lasik, so I don't know if my expirience will help u. Good luck:)

Don't the LiquiGels have preservatives?

The Refresh Plus fealt great and my vision was definately clearer. The downside is the comforting effect only lasts about 30 to 60 minutes. I went through 7 vials yesterday. Yesterday evening I purchased some Refresh Endurance. Ouch, ouch, ouch. It burned my eyes something fierce. This morning, I purchased some GenTeal for moderate to severe and noticed decreased acuity and again the burning. Systane doesn't burn, but acuity is diminished and it builds up crust in my eyelashes. So far the Refresh Plus feels the most comfortable. Any other suggestions?

Shawn.I have had good results with Refresh Tears.It is basically Refresh Liquigel at half strength.You may have to keep searching for something that doesn't burn,we're all a little different.One thing that I do most days is I am able to sit with my eyes closed for 10-15 minutes.This seems to have a very good effect on my acuity after the rest.

Charles, are you using the standard Refresh Tears or the Refresh Plus?

I use the standard Refresh Tears.Thats the name that is actually on the package.It says for mild to moderate dry eyes.It comes in a squeeze bottle in 15ml or 30ml.The active ingredient is carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%.Just bouht a 30ml bottle at CVS for $11.59.Also bought the CVS brand equivalent 30ml for $8.69.I will let you know if it works the same.The active and inactive ingredients are the same.

Shawn they may have some, but I haven't had any reactions to it them, and to my eyes were more soothing than the "preservitive free" brands my doctor gave me.

> I don't know if your surgeon told
>u that all eye drops make
>your eyes blurry for a period
>of time because they are moisterizing
>your eyes.

My surgeon did not, nor did my optomatrist. Hmm.

I will be seeing my opt. on Dec 17, and will ask her about this. But so far, she insisted that I tried no other tears (I did that a month into my surgery, tried all of the popular brands, :P), stating that they have good result with Bion Tears, and I should just stick with it instead of creating my so called self experiment.

Did I understand this correctly? You were told to stop your so called expiriment by your doctor? Or did I read that wrong? Not all eye drops work the same in everyone and u should never do something you are not comfortable with. Always question your doctor about their recommendations for ure health, but don't let them bully u into one way or the highway attitude. Research and be sure to be informed of all treatments, this applies not only to your eyes, but all aspects of your health.

>Did I understand this correctly? You
>were told to stop your so
>called expiriment by your doctor? Or
>did I read that wrong?
>Not all eye drops work the
>same in everyone and u should
>never do something you are not
>comfortable with. Always question your doctor
>about their recommendations for ure health,
>but don't let them bully u
>into one way or the highway
>attitude. Research and be sure to
>be informed of all treatments, this
>applies not only to your eyes,
>but all aspects of your health.
>

Well, I agreed with her after I noticed that no other tears has a "including dry eyes related to: Refractive Laser Eye Surgery & Sjogren's Syndrome" listed on their boxes. And second, I found out, I really did made a mistake in my "self experiment".

Before the surgery, she told me I have a problem with my oil gland, which is making my eyes a bit drier. Couldn't understand all of her explantions, I thought I was having a problem because I was lacking the oil in my gland. So I got Tears Endura, or was it Endurance as part of my daily package. I think I ended up using Systane, TheraTears, Bion Tears, and that Tears Endura/Endurance daily. When I saw her again, after using it, and that was the day she told me to just stick with Bion Tears, it turn out, that my gland wasn't lacking the oil, but it was clogged because of it. So by adding more oil, it was actually making it worst. She reason this, that she could explain until the "cows go home", but if I can't understand the medical side of it, then I just can't. Just listen and trust her professional opinion. So I did.

A bit of an update, it seem that the lack of clairy issue is slowly resolving itself. But then, that could be that I been using Bion Tears less often. Before, my eyes would get so dried that I would imediately know when I need to put more drops. But lately, I have to actually remind myself, caused naturally, my eyes don't get that dried feeling as much. Atleast not until I start to read the newspaper or go on the computer. But I will mentioned this on the Dec 17 check with my optomatrist.

I've tried just about everthing except the Bion Tears and the Refresh LiquiGel. I started using my Systane again and honestly, so far it feels better than all the other did and it lasts longer. Did the Bion Tears have any oily substance in them? The Systane does, which is why it probably lasts longer. Also using the Refresh PM gel at night instead of drops has helped me dramatically. Before using them at night, it felt like I had to peel my eyelids open just like keeping contacts in for too long.

I'm just curious. Bion Tears and Systane are both made by Alcon. They both have the same sized vials and fluid. Systane says I can discard the vial after 12 hours of use. Bion Tears says to discard immediatly after using. It's entirely too much fluid to use for just one application. I usually go through 3 vials a day of Systane getting 3 applications out of each vial. Bion tears would require 9 vials a day. I purchased the Bion Tears today just to try them. The Systane has more of a gel feeling. The Bion Tears are also very comfortable to use, but they don't feel like they will last as long per use. Any comments from those who have used both? I feel I'm wasting money and should just stick to the Systane.

>I'm just curious. Bion Tears and
>Systane are both made by Alcon.
> They both have the same
>sized vials and fluid. Systane
>says I can discard the vial
>after 12 hours of use.
>Bion Tears says to discard immediatly
>after using. It's entirely too
>much fluid to use for just
>one application. I usually go
>through 3 vials a day of
>Systane getting 3 applications out of
>each vial. Bion tears would
>require 9 vials a day.
>I purchased the Bion Tears today
>just to try them. The
>Systane has more of a gel
>feeling. The Bion Tears are
>also very comfortable to use, but
>they don't feel like they will
>last as long per use.
>Any comments from those who have
>used both? I feel I'm
>wasting money and should just stick
>to the Systane.

Bion Tears does say discard immediately, but I don't do just that.

If you get the Bion Tears that was made in the year 2005 (you can tell from looking at the box), the cap can be refitted back into the vial. It will be a snug fit too, which make it easier to reuse.

If you use one drop per eye, a vial will last you 3 times (both eyes per time).

It does say that once you open a foil package, use all the vials within 4 days, I follow that instruction, and I think you should too.

Bion Tears looked to be made for those that really need to use it frequently, so if you were using Bion Tears to begin with, you will waste atleast those 4 vials within a foil package in the 4 days anyhow.

I tried Systane before, but here in Canada, they don't have the preservative free single use package. So I was afraid to use them "as much as I needed"...