Optive Plus Lubricating Eye Drops 10ml

What Are Optive Plus Lubricating Eye Drops?

Dry, gritty, or irritated eyes are more common than you might think. Whether it's screen fatigue, air conditioning, or an underlying condition like dry eye syndrome, the discomfort can be genuinely disruptive. Lubricating eye drops like Optive Plus offer a straightforward, over-the-counter solution that you can use throughout the day without a prescription. Available from our eye care collection at Cured Pharmacy, Optive Plus 10ml is designed to soothe and rehydrate the ocular surface quickly and gently.

Optive Plus contains two key active ingredients — carmellose sodium 0.5% and glycerol 0.9% — working together to address both the surface and cellular aspects of dry eye. It's a well-established formulation used widely across the UK for symptomatic relief of dry eye disease.

How Do Optive Plus Eye Drops Work?

The mechanism behind Optive Plus is what sets it apart from simpler single-ingredient drops. It targets the tear film at two levels simultaneously:

• Carmellose sodium acts as a viscous lubricant, coating the surface of the eye and reducing friction between the eyelid and cornea.
• Glycerol is an osmolyte — it helps draw water into the epithelial cells of the ocular surface, addressing cellular dehydration rather than just surface dryness.
• Together, these ingredients help stabilise the tear film, reducing the rate of tear evaporation and prolonging comfort between doses.
• The drops are designed to be gentle enough for frequent use without causing rebound irritation.

This dual-action approach means Optive Plus addresses both the aqueous deficiency and the hyperosmolarity that characterise many cases of dry eye syndrome — something simpler lubricants don't always manage.

Who Should Use Optive Plus Eye Drops?

Optive Plus is suitable for adults experiencing symptoms of dry eye, whether occasional or chronic. It's particularly useful if you spend long hours in front of screens, live or work in air-conditioned or heated environments, or wear contact lenses (though you must remove lenses before use). People who have been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome by their optometrist or GP may also find it helpful as part of their ongoing management.

• Adults with dry, gritty, or burning eyes
• Those experiencing eye fatigue from prolonged screen use
• People in low-humidity environments (offices, aeroplanes)
• Individuals with mild-to-moderate dry eye syndrome

It is not recommended for use in children unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional. If you have had recent eye surgery or have an active eye infection, speak to your GP or ophthalmologist before using any lubricating drops.

How Does Optive Plus Compare to Other Dry Eye Drops?

How Should You Store Optive Plus Eye Drops?

Store Optive Plus below 25°C, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Once opened, the bottle should be discarded after 90 days — even if solution remains — to reduce the risk of contamination and infection. Do not use the drops if the solution appears cloudy or discoloured. These lubricating eye drops are for external ocular use only and should never be swallowed.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Is Optive Plus and What Is It Used For?

Optive Plus Lubricating Eye Drops 10ml is an over-the-counter ophthalmic solution used to relieve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome and general ocular surface dryness. Dry eye is a very common condition in the UK — the NHS notes that it affects millions of people and can be caused by factors including ageing, screen use, certain medications, and environmental conditions. Optive Plus provides symptomatic relief by lubricating the eye's surface and helping to restore a stable, comfortable tear film. It is not a treatment for underlying eye disease, but it can significantly improve day-to-day comfort for those living with dry eye symptoms.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Optive Plus?

Before using Optive Plus, it's important to be aware of the following contraindications and precautions:

• Do not use if you are allergic to carmellose sodium, glycerol, or any other ingredient in the formulation.
• Remove soft contact lenses before instilling the drops; wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting.
• Do not use if the eye is infected or if you have had recent eye surgery, unless directed by a healthcare professional.
• Avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface, including your eye, to prevent contamination.
• Discard the bottle 90 days after first opening.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• If you experience sudden changes in vision, eye pain, or worsening redness, stop use and seek medical advice promptly.

In terms of drug interactions, Optive Plus has no known clinically significant interactions with systemic medicines. However, if you are using other eye drops or eye ointments, allow at least 5 minutes between applications and always apply ointments last. You can browse our wider eye care range if you need complementary products.

• No known interactions with oral medications
• Allow 5-minute interval between different eye preparations
• Apply eye ointments after drops, not before

How Should You Use Optive Plus Eye Drops?

Using eye drops correctly makes a real difference to how effective they are. Follow these steps each time you use Optive Plus:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling the bottle.
2. Remove contact lenses if you wear them.
3. Tilt your head back slightly and look upward.
4. Gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket.
5. Hold the bottle above the eye and instil one to two drops into the pocket.
6. Close your eye gently for 30 seconds — avoid blinking excessively.
7. If treating both eyes, repeat the process for the other eye.
8. Replace the cap immediately after use.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Optive Plus?

Optive Plus is generally very well tolerated. Side effects are uncommon, but as with any ophthalmic product, some people may experience mild reactions — particularly when first starting use. If any side effect persists or concerns you, stop using the drops and speak to your pharmacist or GP.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Temporary blurred vision immediately after instillation
• Mild stinging or burning sensation on application
• Brief sensation of warmth in the eye

Less common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Eye redness or irritation
• Discharge or crusting around the eyelid
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Allergic reaction — stop use immediately if you notice swelling, severe redness, or rash around the eye

If you experience sudden vision changes, severe eye pain, or signs of an allergic reaction, seek medical attention promptly. The NHS advises that any sudden deterioration in vision should always be assessed by a healthcare professional without delay. If you're managing other health conditions alongside dry eye, our allergy and hay fever range may also be relevant, as allergic eye disease can mimic or worsen dry eye symptoms.

How Should You Store Optive Plus Eye Drops?

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place.
• Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Do not refrigerate unless specifically instructed on the packaging.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
• Discard 90 days after first opening, regardless of remaining volume.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the bottle or carton.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste — return unused product to your pharmacy.