Manuka honey eye gel is a world-first treatment for dry eye, and helps improve symptoms over and above conventional therapy. Optimel is a treatment suitable for chronic dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), blepharitis, sore irritated eyes and eyelids. It helps to stabilise the ocular surface. Despite being largely unheard of, MGD affects up to 20 percent of Cauasians and more than 60 percent of the Asian population, with an increased prevalence with the aging population. Symptoms include redness, pain and dryness of the eye, and a continuous “gritty” feeling.

Manuka honey treatment in eye gel for dry eye is an Australian research initiative, led by the Queensland-based TGA licensed medical device manufacturer Melcare Biomedical.

How does it work?

Manuka honey has antibacterial agents developed from Leptospermum sp. to fundamentally assist with creating a low pH microenvironment that supports healing and prevents further damage to the ocular surface. The honey products lowers the Staphylococcus epidermis bacteria counts on the eye (which form colony forming units - CFUs), which is particularly overgrown in cases of tear deficiency and meibomian gland disease. Reduction of CFUs also reduces the susceptibility of the dry eye patient to secondary bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis. It does this by reducing the production of certain bacterial lipases that are thought to hydrolyse meibomian gland lipids.

A study in June 2019 published in Optometry Australia's renown journal, Clinical and Experimental Optometry, found that the honey products used twice daily over two months significantly reduced the pathogenesis of meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye and its symptoms. There is strong evidence that honey therapy has most efficacy in treating the symptoms of dry eye, compared to conventional treatment.

Instructions for use and ingredients

Each 10g Tube contains:

• Leptospermum sp honey (165mg/g)
• Preservative free

Only use this product as recommended by your optometrist. Do not use it if you have a history of hypersensitivity or are sensitive to honey, food gums, benzoate preservatives. Do not instil while wearing contact lenses. Discard the product within 2 months after opening.

The only adverse effects of the Optimel Antibacterial Manuka Eye gel is transient stinging and redness. There are no serious adverse effects noted.

Drops or full strength gel?

The full strength eye gel is most suitable for:

• Aqueous tear deficiency
• Meibomian disease
• Corneal erosion
• Colonised ocular surface

The Optimel Manuka Honey Full Strength Dry Eye Gel works the same as the regular manuka honey drops, but has a more viscous consistency, where it can combat more severe symptoms of dry eye. The use of full strength gel should only be managed under the supervision of your optometrist or eye care practitioner. The Optimel Manuka Honey Full Strength Dry Eye Gel comes in a 10g tube.