Brolene Eye Drops Nip Infections In The Bud. (Brolene Eye Drops)

Member Name: Machair1

Product:	Brolene Eye Drops
Date:	22/01/09 (696 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Will often be enough to stop an early eye infection in its tracks

Disadvantages: None but check with the pharmacist about your individual medical history.

One of the lesser known pharmacy gems are Brolene eye drops, and for me they represent a really important part of my holiday first aid kit, especially if I am travelling outside the UK. First of all, I must explain I am reviewing the Brolene eye drops you get from the pharmacy, and not the ones called "Cool Eyes" which are off the shelf and just for treating dry/tired eyes.

Secondly I must explain these are not to be used if you have a serious attack of conjunctivitis where you wake up in the morning and your eyes are glued together with green, and all the white area of your eye is red and inflamed. This condition may require antibiotic treatment which until recently involved a trip to the doctor. Now you can see a pharmacist who will decide if you are in need of antibiotic drops, and you can then proceed to buy them there. Conjunctivitis is very contagious so take care with others in the household and keep your own towel and wash your hands.

What I am going to talk about is the beginnings of a slight problem which may resolve on its own, or may develop into something worse. That is a slightly sore eye which you are aware of but is not preventing you from going about your daily business.

Brolene

This belongs to a group of medicines called anti- fungal and disinfectants and the way these work is to stop the growth of bacteria so that your own body can fight off the infection. Brolene is only to be used for minor infections of the eye (mild conjunctivitis) or the eyelid (mild blepharitis.)

Who Can Use It?

Unless you have used the drops before and suffered an allergic reaction they are safe, but contact lens wearers must remove their lenses and not wear them during treatment. Not suitable for pregnant ladies or breastfeeding mums without the approval of a doctor. Shortly after using this it can obviously make your vision slightly blurry, as with any eye drops, so take care with driving or if you operate machinery. Tell the pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines.

How To Use

I normally rinse the eye first with some warm sterile saline, as this makes sure any debris which might be causing the irritation is removed.

You must wash your hands first. Then putting your head back squeeze one or two drops into the eye without touching your eye with the bottle. Repeat this four times a day for at least 2 days, and never give yourself double if you forget. Remember too that Brolene must not be used after 28 days as they it will longer be sterile.

My Experience

I cannot tell you how valuable it is to have these with you when you are away from home. I was In the Outer Hebrides a few years ago and one of my eyes became annoyingly sore. It was Saturday and there were no doctors open and it wasn't severe enough to seek advice at casualty so I used these. By the Monday the eye was fine, and I was able to wear my contact lenses again with no problem.

I see them in the same way as Strepsils are for sore throats, but more effective than these which are often soothing rather than anything. Strepsils are not going to cure a tonsillitis episode but will soothe a mild sore throat, Brolene together with your natural defences won't cure a massive eye infection but they might just nip it in the bud. When going abroad these are really brilliant as sand can be a cause of minor irritations in the eye, especially if it is windy, and a grain passes into the eye and scratches the surface of the cornea. Some of these scratches can be very serious, but many heal quickly and often without comment or pain, and this is where Brolene can help.

I wouldn't suggest buying them for home as it is so easy to pop to the chemist, unless of course you live somewhere remote. I say this because they cost £4.10 from any good pharmacy, but chances are you will buy them and not need them by the use by date.

Just a few words of warning. Eyes are precious and sight is paramount so only use these if your eye problem is mild. If irritation continues seek medical advice, and don't wait especially if you are a contact lens wearer. Pop to your optician- someone will always be prepared to check your eyes with special equipment. It is better to be safe than sorry. Not all eye discomfort is simply a matter of infection. I had a serious corneal ulcer in my twenties and needed hospital care so if in doubt get help. They often present with a feeling like something is in your eye and the symptoms are more severe than a simple mild infection. Do not leave it more than two days without seeking advice if it is not improving.

I have found these invaluable on numerous occasions. My eldest daughter who is a vet student suffers with these minor events from time to time (possibly due to the nature of her job) and she buys these now and in every case has treated it successfully without any problem.

A final note about conjunctivitis, as with sore throats, many of these are viral, and will clear up on their own without treatment at all, but bacterial ones take longer. If you see the signs of an eye infection, and don't want to buy Brolene you can just bathe the eye in warm saline which has been boiled. This makes it more comfortable and sometimes nature will clear it up in 48 hours, after which if it hasn't medical help must be sought.
Of course red eyes are often seen in the summer time, and for hay fever sufferers there are some excellent eye drops to treat these- and that's another story!

Summary: A great holiday component of a well prepared first aid kit.