Optimel Manuka Dry Eye Drops, Glycerin 0.2%, 0.34 OZ (10ml)

I was skeptical that this would be any different from other medicines I have tried, but I was desperate, and was swayed by the overwhelmingly positive reviews. I have had pretty severe dry eye for years, and I have tried just about every medicine and non-surgical treatment there is: hot compress, glycol based drops, carboxymethilcellulose based drops, povidone, glycerine, mineral oil, rhestasis, the lot. Every single eyedrop or gel treatment ended up making the condition worse, either irritating the eye or making it feel even dryer and gritty after a while. The only thing that could provide some relief were the Symilasan homeophatic dry eye drops, which do help, but must be applied fairly frequently, as the effect does not last very long. My eyesight was getting really bad, with bouts of fogginess that would not go away, or painful dryness, and I was at wits end. I was even more skeptical of these Optimel eyedrops when I read that the listed active ingredient is glycerin, which has never done any good for me. But what the heck, I had already forked out the money, and everyone seemed so enthusiastic so, what's there to lose, right? I can verify, as everyone else has stated, that these things sting like the devil. If you have a low threshold for pain and stinging in the eye, do keep this in mind. In my experience, the intense sting lasts for about 15-20 seconds, and then my eyes tear abundantly for a few more seconds. So altogether, count on being out of action for about 1-2 minutes after applying the drops. In other words, it's not something that you want to apply as you're rushing from your desk to a meeting room, or while you wait for a traffic light to change. My verdict: much, MUCH to my surprise, these things have actually worked for me. I have no idea what the magic is, and/or whether the manuka honey is actually such a potent medicine (the drops do smell strongly of honey), but they have done something for me that nothing else has done: provide effective and prolonged relief to my severe dry eye. I still have my trusty Symilasan by my side, and I still have to apply it a few times in between Optimel applications (three times a day). But I use them far less frequently now, and I can now often go between Optimel applications without feeling the need to apply the Symilisan drops. I would not say that Optimel is "miraculous", as it not quite that marvellous, and I still have dry eye, but it certainly has shown to be the only thing that has actually provided several hours of relief and significantly improved eyesight, without the degraded performance from all other medicines I have tried so far.

I absolutely LOVE the effect of these drops. The help with dry eyes and with blepharitis. Yes, they sting a bit, but only for a few seconds. Keep your eyes closed and wipe the tears and the sting subsides. I use them every day, three times a day.

I have keratoconjunctivitis sicca and have been through every treatment for dry eyes. I wear PROSE lenses which help a lot. I have used the optimel eye gel and it is very effective. It burns, but it does result in tearing, and over time I feel that I have less dry eye pain upon waking during the night, as an example. I gave the optimel drops a try because it's awkward to apply the gel from the tube to the eye using a cotton swab. Unfortunately, the drops just don't work nearly as well. They definitely burn, in an oddly different way than the gel does. I almost enjoyed the gel burn because I knew it would work. The drops burn is painful, unpleasant, and not associated with any benefit for me. The drops are more convenient and maybe work for people with mild dry eye, but for severe dry eye, the gel is the way to go. I wish there was a better way to dispense it but I'm still sticking with the gel and throwing out my drops.

After trying many different solutions for dry eyes, this is finally helping. FYI on the mechanisms of action: Manuka honey eye drops help alleviate dry eye through a combination of the hyperosmotic effect and the unique properties of Manuka honey. Dry eye often stems from insufficient tear production or poor tear quality, leading to an unstable tear film that evaporates too quickly or leaves the eye surface irritated and inflamed. Here’s how the drops tackle that: The hyperosmotic nature of the honey draws water out of swollen or inflamed tissues on the eye’s surface—like the cornea or conjunctiva—reducing puffiness and encouraging the eye to produce more of its own natural tears as a response. This can kickstart a rebalancing of the tear film. At the same time, the honey’s thickness adds a protective, moisturizing layer that mimics the tear film, holding moisture in place longer than typical watery drops might. This helps combat the dryness directly. Beyond that, Manuka honey’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to Methylglyoxal (MGO), target any underlying issues like bacterial overgrowth or inflammation in the eyelids (common in conditions like blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, which often worsen dry eye). By calming irritation and clearing out troublemakers, it creates a healthier environment for the eye to maintain moisture over time. The stinging you feel is a trade-off for this process kicking into gear—think of it as the drops shaking things up to reset the system. Users often notice the dryness eases after the initial discomfort fades, especially with consistent use as the eye adjusts. It’s not a quick rinse like saline; it’s more of a slow rebuild for the eye’s natural defenses.

I used these drops for a week and they do burn for just a few seconds but did make my eyes feel better. However they are still red and I believe that is due to allergies.

I suffer from MGD and ocular rosacea. When I’m having a really bad flare, these drops really help calm the inflammation in my eyes and feel better than most otc drops. Yes they burn at first, but when you’re desperate for some relief these drops help. Don’t bother trying if you’re not up for a little pain in your eyes for at least a minute. I keep these in my arsenal for emergencies. I don’t think they help much with dryness so I still have to use a lubricant drop followed by another drop to lock that in. Talk about an expensive ailment with not much help from many optometrists and ophthalmologists!!! I’ve spent thousands of dollars trying to find the perfect combination and get to the root of dry eye disease and now I know it’s mainly diet related for me. I wish everyone luck who’s dealing with painful eye problems because it can be debilitating without much real help from the medical community. I just wish they weren’t so expensive. But I’m glad I found them.

Omg these STINGGGGGGG like crazy!!! But when the sting is done, they are amazing for hydrating dry eyes! I am SO thankful I tried them on my husband before putting them on my kids. He said they hurt like hell. I made my 15 year old try them and at least was able to warn him in dance. He said the same thing, they sting like crazy for about 2 solid minutes but when that’s done it’s amazing for your eyes. No one in our family has worked up enough courage to try them again so I say use at your own risk!

This product definitely works for me! I developed severe dry eyes last Spring along with nasty, painful bumps in my eyelid oil glands in my right eye. I would also wake up in the morning with crust on my eye. I went to the eye Doctor and he gave me antibiotic eye drops. It cleared it up within 8 days but the feeling of an eyelash in my eye returned 3 mos later and I woke up to another nasty bump in my eye oil gland and crust in the right eye again! I tried everything! Warm compresses, sterile saltwater rinse, baby shampoo (to cleanse my eyelid and lashes) and I was still in misery! It got worse on Thanksgiving when I awoke to a nasty bump in my Left eye too along with eye crust!! I constantly washed my hands so much that my hands were cracking and sore. I had also given up wearing my contacts for months! So in a last ditch effort on research I learned of these drops on YouTube and decided to give them a try. Yes, the drops will burn but doesn't last long. After the first week the bumps began going away and I finally saw real relief! Redness after I first applied the drops but they cleared up. I will never be without these as the itchiness, crustiness, pain, dry eye redness and bumps are almost all gone. I have been using these since early December and ordered another backup bottle. Love these!