Optase Dry Eye Spray - 17ml - 300 Doses

What Is Optase Dry Eye Spray and How Does It Help?

Dry, gritty, or irritated eyes are more common than you might think. The NHS estimates that dry eye disease affects millions of people in the UK, and it can range from mildly uncomfortable to genuinely disruptive to daily life. If you've ever struggled with traditional eye drops — the fiddly bottles, the awkward angle, the drops that miss entirely — then a dry eye spray could be a genuinely easier alternative. Optase Dry Eye Spray 17ml delivers approximately 300 doses of soothing, lubricating mist directly onto closed eyelids, making application far more straightforward. You can find it alongside other products in our eye care collection.

The spray is preservative-free, which matters more than it might sound. Preservatives in some eye products can cause irritation with repeated use, particularly for people who need relief several times a day. Optase avoids this issue entirely, making it suitable for regular, ongoing use.

How Does Optase Dry Eye Spray Work?

The mechanism here is elegantly simple. Rather than requiring you to tilt your head back and aim a drop at your open eye, you simply close your eyes and spray. The fine mist lands on your eyelid margin and is drawn into the eye naturally when you blink. The key active ingredients do the rest:

• Hyaluronic acid (0.3%) — a naturally occurring molecule that attracts and retains moisture, helping to stabilise the tear film and reduce evaporation from the ocular surface.
• Ectoine — a naturally derived amino acid derivative that protects cells from osmotic stress and helps soothe inflamed or irritated eye tissue.
• Trehalose — a disaccharide that supports cell membrane integrity and helps protect the corneal epithelium under dry conditions.

Together, these ingredients work to restore moisture balance on the eye surface, reduce the sensation of grittiness, and support the natural tear film. The preservative-free formula means there's no risk of the cumulative irritation that some preserved drops can cause over time.

Who Should Consider Using Optase Dry Eye Spray?

This spray is designed for adults experiencing symptoms of dry eye syndrome, whether occasional or chronic. It's particularly well-suited to people who find conventional eye drops difficult to use — perhaps due to dexterity issues, anxiety about touching the eye, or simply finding drops impractical at work or on the go.

• People with dry eye symptoms caused by screen use, air conditioning, or central heating
• Contact lens wearers experiencing end-of-day dryness (remove lenses before use)
• Those with meibomian gland dysfunction or evaporative dry eye
• Individuals who have previously found preserved eye drops irritating

How Does Optase Dry Eye Spray Compare to Standard Eye Drops?

Is Optase Dry Eye Spray Suitable for Sensitive Eyes?

Yes, in most cases. Because the formula is preservative-free and uses naturally derived ingredients, it is generally well tolerated by people with sensitive eyes. The dry eye spray format also reduces the risk of contamination compared to multi-dose drop bottles that require direct contact with the eye area. If you wear contact lenses, always remove them before applying and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting. If you have a known allergy to any of the listed ingredients, do not use this product.

If you're managing other eye-related conditions alongside dry eye, it's worth speaking to your GP or optometrist. You might also find it helpful to explore our wider range of allergy and hay fever treatments, as allergic eye symptoms can sometimes overlap with or worsen dry eye.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Is Optase Dry Eye Spray and What Is It Used For?

Optase Dry Eye Spray is a preservative-free ocular lubricant spray designed to relieve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome. It is used to soothe dryness, grittiness, burning, and irritation of the eyes — symptoms that can be caused by prolonged screen use, environmental factors such as air conditioning or wind, contact lens wear, or underlying conditions affecting tear production. The NHS describes dry eye syndrome as a common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears, or where tears evaporate too quickly. This spray helps address the evaporative component by stabilising the tear film from the outside in.

It is classified as a medical device rather than a medicinal product in the UK, meaning it works by physical means rather than pharmacological action. It is available over the counter without a prescription.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Optase Dry Eye Spray?

Before using this spray, read the following carefully. While it is generally well tolerated, there are some situations where caution is needed.

Do not use Optase Dry Eye Spray if:

• You are allergic to hyaluronic acid, ectoine, trehalose, or any other listed ingredient
• You have an active eye infection — treat the infection first and seek advice from your GP or optometrist
• You are using other eye medications — apply those first and wait at least 15 minutes before using this spray

Take care and speak to a pharmacist or GP if:

• You have had recent eye surgery
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding (no known risk, but always worth checking)
• Your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of regular use
• You experience sudden changes in vision, eye pain, or increased redness

Known drug interactions:

• No pharmacological interactions are known, as this is a medical device
• If using prescribed eye drops, apply them first and wait 15 minutes before using this spray

How Should You Use Optase Dry Eye Spray?

Using this spray correctly makes a real difference to how well it works. The technique is simple once you've done it a couple of times.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the bottle.
2. If wearing contact lenses, remove them before use.
3. Close both eyes gently.
4. Hold the bottle approximately 10cm away from your closed eyelids.
5. Spray 1–2 times onto each closed eyelid.
6. Blink several times to allow the solution to spread across the eye surface.
7. Wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting contact lenses.

If you're also managing seasonal eye irritation, you might find it useful to browse our allergy and hay fever range for complementary products.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Optase Dry Eye Spray?

Side effects with this spray are uncommon, but it's important to know what to look out for. Because the formula is preservative-free, the risk of irritation from repeated use is lower than with some preserved alternatives.

Common side effects (may affect some users):

• Temporary blurred vision immediately after application — this usually clears within a minute or two
• Mild stinging or tingling sensation on first use

Less common side effects (rare):

• Persistent eye redness or irritation
• Allergic reaction — signs include swelling of the eyelids, itching, or worsening redness

If you experience any allergic reaction, stop using the product immediately and seek medical advice. Sudden eye pain, significant vision changes, or worsening symptoms should always be assessed by a healthcare professional promptly.

How Should You Store Optase Dry Eye Spray?

Correct storage keeps the formula effective and safe for the full duration of use. Follow these guidelines:

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place
• Do not refrigerate or freeze
• Keep out of direct sunlight
• Keep the cap on when not in use
• Discard 6 months after first opening, even if product remains in the bottle
• Keep out of reach and sight of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging

For a broader range of products to support your eye health and general wellbeing, take a look at our vitamins and supplements collection, which includes options that may support tear production and ocular health from the inside.