Ocular lubricant (carbomer gel — dry eye disease) Pregnancy: Not studied in pregnant or breast-feeding women; caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant or breast-feeding women (§4.6)

Carbomer 0.2% Eye Gel (Viscotears)

Brand names: Viscotears, GelTears, Liposic

Carbomer 0.2% eye gel (Viscotears) is an ocular lubricant used to relieve dry eye and tear-deficiency states.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: One drop of the gel instilled into the inferior conjunctival cul-de-sac

Route: Ocular (topical, eye gel)

Frequency: 1 to 4 times daily according to the degree of ocular trouble

Source SPC is Liquivisc 2.5 mg/g eye gel (carbomer). §4.2 states: 'Adults (including the elderly): Instil one drop of the gel into the inferior conjunctival cul-de-sac 1 to 4 times daily according to the degree of ocular trouble.' Paediatric (§4.2): 'Children and adolescents aged to 18 years: The safety and efficacy of LIQUIVISC 2.5 mg/g eye gel in children and adolescents at the posology recommended in adults has been established by clinical experience, but no clinical trial data are available.' Administration: after instillation store the bottle vertically with the dropper downwards to facilitate drop formation; do not touch the eye with the dropper tip; replace the cap after use. Contains benzalkonium chloride 0.0015 mg per drop — remove soft contact lenses before use and wait at least 30 minutes before reinsertion; use with caution in dry eye and where the cornea may be compromised; monitor with prolonged use.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the product

Side effects

Mild transient stinging or burning on instillation
Blurred vision briefly after instillation until the gel is evenly distributed over the eye surface
Punctate and/or ulcerative keratopathy (rarely reported with the benzalkonium chloride preservative)
Eye irritation and symptoms of dry eyes (benzalkonium chloride)

Interactions

Other eye drops — wait 15 minutes between instillations; the carbomer gel should be the last medication instilled (§4.5)

Clinical monograph

How it works

The high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid polymer forms a mucomimetic film that adheres to the ocular surface, prolonging tear-film contact time and stabilising the precorneal tear film.

Prescribing in practice

Causes transient blurred vision after application, so it is often best reserved for night-time or spaced from other treatments.
If other eye drops are used concurrently, instil the gel last and allow an interval between products.
Discontinue and review if ocular irritation or signs of hypersensitivity develop.

Monitoring

No laboratory monitoring is needed; review symptomatic relief and ocular surface comfort and reassess if symptoms persist or worsen.

Counselling the patient

Expect short-lived blurring after application; avoid driving until vision clears.
Remove soft contact lenses before applying unless advised otherwise.
Discard within the period stated on the packaging once opened to reduce contamination risk.

Evidence & guidelines

Ocular lubricants are the mainstay of symptomatic management of dry eye disease, with choice guided by symptom severity and patient preference.

Reference: DEWS II Report 2017; Viscotears SPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways