Hypromellose eye drops

Hypromellose eye drops act as artificial tears. They make dry eyes feel more comfortable.



Type of medicine Eye lubricant
Used for Dry eyes
Also called Artelac®; Brolene Cool®; Hydromoor®; Hypromol®; Isopto Alkaline®; Isopto Plain®; Lumecare®; Mandanol®; Tear-Lac®; Tears Naturale® 
Available as Eye drops and single-use dose units

Hypromellose eye drops are also known as 'artificial tears'. They are used to relieve eye dryness and soreness, particularly where the dryness is caused by a reduced flow of tears. They moisten, soothe and lubricate the surface of your eye, making it feel more comfortable.


To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using hypromellose eye drops it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you wear soft contact lenses.
  1. Wash your hands well before you use the drops.
  5. Apply enough pressure to release one drop into your eye. Some brands will require you to squeeze the bottle gently to do this; other brands will just need a gentle press on the base of the bottle to release a drop - check the manufacturer's information leaflet provided with the drops for further information. Only use a second drop if the first one missed going into your eye.
  6. Close your eye for a minute or two.
  • Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected by dryness. Many people find it is sufficient to use the drops three or four times a day, but you can use the drops every hour if your eyes are very dry. If the drops have been prescribed for you, then follow the directions given by your doctor.
  • If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave about ten minutes between applying each one. It is usually recommended that you use hypromellose last. This is so that the drops stay in contact with your eye and lubricate it for as long as possible.
  • Do not wear soft contact lenses while you are using the drops unless your doctor or pharmacist has advised you otherwise. This is because there is a preservative in many of the brands of hypromellose eye drops which can affect soft contact lenses.

Hypromellose can occasionally cause a mild stinging sensation, but this usually soon passes and not everyone will experience this. If you experience any other eye problems, especially if you think they may be due to the drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.








Further reading & references


Original Author:
Helen Allen
Current Version:
Peer Reviewer:
Dr John Cox
Last Checked:
Document ID:
3243 (v23)
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