Eye Ointment

[lynbrown]

I have tubes of above and they both say throw away after 28 days. Yet the tubes are never empty, in fact there is loads left in them. Why must they be thrown away?

[Tilly2]

I suppose it's because they have become ineffective after that time. I really don't know though.

We used to have a tube of Golden Eye Ointment in the medicine box, when I was a child. It was there for years.

[Mamyalynne]

Most eye ointments contain a preservative and after about 4 weeks that has deteriorated.

[Maydup]

I had eye ointment for an infection and I was to use it for 14 days. It worked and all clear after a couple of days but i finished the course and discarded the remainder. Hopefully I won't need it again but if I do I'll buy new. Do you still need to use yours?

[Tilly2]

It seems such a waste to have to throw it out, I agree.

[Mamyalynne]

If the preservative has gone, then the active ingredients will cease to work efficiently and also bacteria in an opened tube can breed.

Don't mess with your eyes -take if from someone who is partially sighted.

[murraymints]

same with eye drops I use for hayfever, discard after 28 days..do not risk infection..toss them !

[Mamyalynne]

Yes I have to use two different eye drops three times a day - I always write the date of opening on the lid of the box or on the label.

[Sqad]

What eye ointments?
Hydrocortisone? antibiotic?

In 99% of cases it doesn't matter a damn about expiry dates if they are over the counter ointments.

Perhaps a little weakness in action maybe.........bit no big deal.

[Mamyalynne]

So once open you can use them ad infinitum? news to me.

[Sqad]

\\\\Carefully dispose of any remaining eye drops or ointment after the five day course of treatment is completed. Do not save the medicine to use again for future infections, as it is likely to be contaminated with bacteria.\\\\

Here you are...this is the advice of Netdoctor for chloramphenicol drops..........5 days.

Advice: you pays your money and take your choice.

[Sqad]

Mamy....not ad finitum....only until they are used up......

[Mamyalynne]

I'll stick to 28 days then.

As stated above some households have tubes of stuff years old in their medicine cabinets. Some may be fine but I wouldn't use old stuff in or near my eyes or those of my family.

[Sqad]

mamy...that's fine .

[woofgang]

The other issue with ointments is that many people cant use them without touching the eye, bot the eyevall but the dkin or lashes surrounding the eye. This can contamiate the tube and pass the infection on to anyone else who uses it. Not a problem with drops.

[lynbrown]

Thanks all.