Description

Optimel Manuka+ Forte Eye Gel helps restore eye comfort and reduces inflammation by improving eye-lid margin hygiene and reducing bacteria that may potentially colonise the eyelid margin causing inflammation, poor tear quality and trauma to the eye surface .Melcare’s Optimel Antibacterial Manuka Forte Gel contains a natural standardised antibacterial Manuka honey developed from Leptospermum sp. and is preservative-free. It is suitable for moderate to severe dry eyes, tear deficiency, meibomian gland disease, blepharitis, keratitis, corneal erosions, mild eye infections, reducing inflammation and for reducing bacteria levels in the anterior eye.

Patients with tear deficiency and meibomian gland disease have an overgrowth of ocular flora. This overgrowth is thought to contribute to the tear film instability and ocular surface damage. Both topical and systemic antibiotics can significantly reduce the Colony Forming Units (CFUs) in eyes with chronic lid disease. With the increase of resistance among ocular pathogens (Cernak et al 2011) ,the efficacy of antibiotic therapeutic regimens is being reduced.

Application of Optimel Manuka+ Forte Eye Gel 3 times daily to the inferior conjunctival fornix and lower lid margins can significantly reduce CFUs from baseline at month 1 and month 3 in the eyelids and conjunctiva of patients with dry eye caused by tear deficiency and/or meibomian gland disease (Albietz and Lenton 2006).

Reduction of CFUs reduces the potential susceptibility of the dry eye patient to bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis. The reduction in CFUs may also assist in improving the clinical symptoms of dry eye disease by reducing the production of certain bacterial lipases that are thought to hydrolyse meibomian gland lipids.

Albietz and Lenton also reported that the application of medical grade Leptospermum spp honey (Manuka) was associated with signficant clinical improvements in dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction. The only adverse effects noted with the use of Optimel Manuka+ Forte Eye Gel in the eye are stinging and redness. No serious adverse effects are noted. It is recommended that the use of the Optimel Manuka+ Forte Eye Gel be initially managed under the supervision of an eye care practitioner..