Positive Impact
Positive Impact developed an exclusive product for its Dry Eye Zone range, called the TearRestore thermal eye mask. It is said to be the first and only open-eye warm compress, which tackles a common inconvenience for patients as they can be active during their daily compress session, instead of having to lie down.
The TearRestore Starter Kit is made up of a reusable, self-heating thermal gel eye mask, which supplies 10 minutes of consistent therapeutic heat at 42ºC, and the TearRestore eye mask with a headstrap. Once activated and attached together, the heated design targets the meibomian glands by liquefying oils in the meibomian, resulting in natural oil gland expression throughout use as the user blinks and pumps blockages out.
A clinical study by the University of Colorado, showed improvement in symptoms over 28 to 60 days of use, with a 90% increase in tear break-up time, 51% reduction in dry eye symptoms using the Speed questionnaire, as well as a 40% increase in functional meibomian glands.
Positive Impact managing director Nick Atkins says: ‘There has been little development in this area since the first seed-bag based product in the noughties and so a bit of a market shake-up with a novel alternative device is probably overdue.
‘The compliance with the regular use of a warm compress is notoriously poor. I believe that having to stop everything for 10 to 15 minutes every day is a significant contributory factor, and this is what piqued our interest in bringing TearRestore into the UK. Another frequent conversation I have with colleagues is the large number of patients who don’t own a microwave and what to do while travelling? TearRestore safely resolves these dilemmas, always delivering the correct amount of heat for the right amount of time.’
Bondeye Optical
Wholesaler Bondeye Optical launched its in-house dry eye products, RestorEyes Duo thermal eye mask and RestorEyes biodegradable eye lid wipes, at 100% Optical. Retailing at £7.99, it is the cheapest eye mask on the market, says Dave Walker, sales director at Bondeye.
The reusable eye mask aims to relieve dry eye symptoms, as well as tension, migraines, eye puffiness and sinus pressure, while the cleansing wipes are made from crepe paper and fully biodegrade within two weeks to six months.
Walker says: ‘We were going through a transitional period. While known as a one-stop shop, we’re trying to create brands that are good value for money, have some eco benefits, and that people associate with us. As a business, we’re trying to understand what the practitioners want, find out what’s important to them, and match products to them.
‘The eye mask is a hot and cold mask, which is used as part of the three-step process. You’ve got the drops, you’ve got the heat mask, and then you’ve got the cleansing aspects after.’
Walker adds that Bondeye are looking to add an own brand eye drop into the product line as the third part of the process in the future, but focused on these products first as they distribute many other eye drops already.
The Body Doctor
The Body Doctor previewed The Eye Doctor brand’s new Hypochlorous Eyelid Spray, which can be used to combat dry eye disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, styles, itchy eyes and inflammation.
The spray’s pH-balanced solution is clinically tested and free from preservatives and alcohol, making it suitable for sensitive eyes and skin, with a 100ml spray recommended to retail at £10.
The Body Doctor’s sales and marketing director, Sam Wymer, tells visitors at the London show: ‘We are delighted as our preview at 100% Optical has proved popular. The new Eye Doctor Hypochlorous Eyelid Spray provides professional levels of ocular and periocular hygiene, while offering practitioners great value for money.
‘This hypochlorous spray was developed with leading ophthalmologists to reduce bacteria and fits in perfectly with our company ethos. It also nicely fills a gap in our Eye Doctor portfolio of compresses, lid wipes and eye drops,’ he adds.
Théa Pharmaceuticals
Théa Pharmaceuticals presented Théa Lipid Dry Eye Relief Eye Drops, which launched a month prior to the show, and is a dual-action, lipid solution eye drop used for evaporative dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Product manager Alex France tells Optician: ‘We have been really excited to bring our new lipid eye drop to the market because, historically, we’ve had some really fabulous dry eye products and a lid cleansing range, but nothing specific to sifting that lipid layer.
‘In the product, there are two lipids: soybean phospholipids, which helps to anchor the aqueous layer, and your medium chain triglycerides, which helps to restore the lipid layer. These work together to give you stability, and a protective kind of barrier over the lipid layer, while glycerol also helps it spread across the tear film.’
France highlights that the standout features include its dual components, naturally sourced ingredients, and minimal morning and evening use. ‘A lot of liquid-based products might come from mineral oil or non-natural forms, but we’re looking at a natural form because of the way it acts on the tear film and there is a swing towards using more natural, disposable, sustainable ingredients,’ she says.
Scope Eyecare
The optical healthcare supplier launched two dry eye products at 100% Optical, giving delegates an exclusive look at Hycosan Intense,
a new, updated addition to their preservative-free Hycosan range of dry eye drops; and the Optase TTO BlephaWipe, a gentle, preservative-free wipe designed to soothe and cleanse the eyelids, removing debris and reducing bacterial load.
The eye drop is an advanced, double-action formula containing 0.2% hyaluronic acid and 2% Ectoin, and was developed as the dry eye drop that provides the longest lasting symptom relief among Scope products. Product manager Emma Impeciati says: ‘Hycosan Intense’s ingredients work together in harmony to provide both instant hydration and longer-lasting relief from intense symptoms, such as stinging and burning. It’s coming to market very shortly, so keep a close eye out for it.’
Meanwhile, the Optase TTO BlephaWipe provides an environmentally friendly cleansing wipe, as part of a major step forward in the company’s sustainability journey.
Grafton Optical
Grafton showcased its latest dry eye liquid treatment, I-Drop MGD, a premium, preservative-free eye drop, which it says results in
unmatched hydration of the cornea and enhances relief for chronic evaporative dry eye.
The eye drop is an artificial tear that helps relieve symptoms, and contains 0.20% viscoadaptive hyaluronan, as well as superior osmoprotectants and bioprotectants that stabilise and enhance the lipid layer, while reducing evaporation of the tear film. It is available in a 10ml multi-dose bottle with a one-way valve and air-return system that delivers one sterile-dosed drop at a time.
Grafton says: ‘This unique formulation offers the patient unparalleled ocular hydration and comfort. It is a long-lasting artificial tear that re-coats the surface of the eye with every blink, resulting in a lower therapy cost to the patient with fewer daily applications.’
Visufarma
Visufarma highlights that it distinguishes itself against product offerings on the market by staying at the forefront of technology and research developments in optical and dry eye treatments.
UK commercial sales manager Jo Day tells Optician: ‘We offer tomorrow’s technology today and tomorrow’s innovation today. Most of our products have been launched in the last five to 10 years, so we’re very much looking at the future rather than the past. For example, we’re the only company that has omega-3 in our eyedrops.
‘The Visu premium products offer certain benefits. For example, we’ve got Visu XL Gel that turn into gel when it hits the eyes. We’ve got Visu XL that helps to heal the eye as well; and we’ve got Visu EVO for evaporative dry eye.’