My tipsy eyes! (Optrex Eye Wash With Eye Bath)

Member Name: ~*pink-pilgrim*~

Product:	Optrex Eye Wash With Eye Bath
Date:	17/12/07 (266 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Makes my eyes feel fresh and clean

Disadvantages: didn't make the infection better

INTRODUCTION
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I seem to get Conjunctivitis a lot. In fact I get itchy eyes 1-2 times a month and this often develops into a full blown infection. I suppose over exposure to computers causes the problem in the first place but I also have asthma and apparently people prone to allergies such as asthma, eczema and hay fever sufferers are more likely to suffer regular bouts of Conjunctivitis.

About 5 days ago my eyes started to get very itchy and felt really sore and tired. I woke up the next morning with crusty discharge around my eye. I am the sort of person who will itch, play with my eye and poke around often making it worse, to avoid admitting I have a problem.

I hate eye drops and will only use them as a last resort, I wince everytime something comes near my eyes so I am not easy to administer eye drops to. Not only that but each bottle of Optrex Infected Eyes with Chloramphenicol costs about £5 and when you need to purchase a bottle once a month or more it can work out expensive. The information leaflet cleverly states that they should be discarded after 5 days of opening so it's impossible to get your moneys worth.

I was suffering so much the other day that I popped into my local Boots Chemist to buy a bottle. Strangely enough however they would not let me purchase a bottle. Even after I described my symptoms to the pharmacist...she seems to think that pussy eyes, crispy discharge and pain was normal and that bathing it in water would suffice.

I was fuming to say the least and walked out feeling quite annoyed and upset that I would probably have to wait a couple of days to see my doctor. At the end of the day it had never been a problem in the past to buy eye drops behind the counter but this pharmacist would not sell them. (anyway I will save that for another review)

Whilst walking around my local supermarket I noticed a green box standing on the shelf with bold lettering stating 'Optrex Eye Wash' I was so desperate anything was worth a try so I added it to my basket.

CONTENTS
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The box contained a small green eye bath (particularly useful for rinsing the eye with water for first aid purposes), a 110ml rounded glass bottle with the eye wash and a small instruction leaflet. The pale green box has a dark green foil lid with the circular Optrex logo. It really stood out at me on the shelf. On the front of the box it claims to 'wash and sooth'.

I had been looking to buy a small eye bath for several months they are very useful for removing foreign bodies and annoying eye lashes. They can also be very useful for washing eyes first thing in the morning.

DIRECTIONS
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The liquid claimed to help your eyes recover after a tiring activity such as using the computer, driving or during cold weather when the central heating is on. It also claimed to replenish moisture using natural plant extracts and sooth sore, tired eyes. It claims to cleanse the eye from dust and foreign bodies and is safe for everyday use. It didn't say that it was suited for possible infections or that it was not safe for Conjunctivitis.

EFFECTS
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The eye wash smells a lot like disinfectant it has a very clinical smell. I wasn't keen on the smell at first but I soon got used to it. It smelt a little like gin on first opening but that seems to have faded a bit now.

Maybe I was placing too much on the success of this product. I was very disappointed when the eye wash didn't miraculously cure the throbbing pain and discharge, in fact if anything it made my eyes sting so much I cried.

The crying reflex however was probably the best thing to happen as the pain started to go. I was then left with terrible blurred vision and struggled to walk around for about half an hour. I think the liquid drew a lot of the yucky stuff out of my eye and made the whole thing worse.

I continued to use it last night and today and can't say I have noticed a lot of difference in the pain or discharge and my sight seems a lot more blurred. I did notice that my eyes felt more moist as apoosed to grainy and rough. The skin around my eye felt soft and did not sting as much as before. I feel that this eye wash is more for long term effect rather than a quick fix solution so I will continue to use it.

The eye wash contains natural extracts which will over time improve dark lines and will make my eyes healthier. One of the main ingredients, Witch Hazel is reported to be excellent for eye health so over time I hope that I will have fewer bouts of Conjunctivitis.

INGREDIENTS
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* Purified water
* Alcohol
* Boric acid
* Glycerine
* Witch Hazel
* Sodium Borate
* Benzalkonium Chloride

The eye wash keeps for 3 months after opening

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
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I got my bottle for less than £4 in Somerfield's but the eye wash is available in most chemists and supermarkets between the £3-£5 price range. I would say this is very reasonable because it contains a lot of liquid and comes with a good quality eye bath.

SUMMARY
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It didn't so the job I was hoping for and I will still have to make an appointment at my doctors for some proper eye drops but this will certainly be of use in the future. Least now I know I will be able to prevent further infections and keep my eyes looking fresh and healthy.

I will definitely be buying more in the future and would recommend it to people who work daily on computers or who do a lot of driving. Its also useful to have at home in case of getting dirt in the eye or when you want to look your best. At £4 it's a great value.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
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OPTREX LTD
Nottingham
NG2 3AA
UK

http://www.optrex.co.uk/ (very useful site)

Summary: A great way to clean the nasty impurities out of the eyes and make them healthier!