Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
• You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse.

1. What GelTears is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use GelTears
3. How to use GelTears
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store GelTears
6. Contents of the pack and other information

If GelTears is used at the same time with other eye drops/eye ointments, there should be an application time interval of approximately 15 minutes between use of such other medications and GelTears should always be the last medication to be applied.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently or might take any other medicines.

Your vision may become blurred if too much gel is added at one time, or if you use your medicine more often than is required. This effect can last for up to an hour. If you are affected you may be able to speed up recovery of normal vision by blinking vigorously for a few seconds. If this does not work, try gently rubbing the eyelid.

This should help the gel to collect in the conjunctival sac beneath the eye where it will no longer interfere with your vision.

The safety and efficacy of GelTears in children and adolescents at the posology recommended in adults has been established by clinical experience, but no clinical trial data are available.

Do not use GelTears if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Take special care with GelTears if you wear contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed during treatment with GelTears. And then wait for 15 minutes after application before putting them back in.

Benzalkonium chloride is used as a preservative in GelTears, and is known to be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Over time benzalkonium chloride can collect in soft contact lenses, and therefore may cause irritation, or discolour the lenses. Therefore use of Geltears while using soft contact lenses is not recommended. GelTears can, however, be used with daily disposable lenses because a new pair is used each day.

As with all eye preparations, you may have blurred vision for a little while after putting the gel in. Wait until your vision is clear before driving or using machines.

The safety and efficacy of GelTears in children and adolescents at the posology recommended in adults has been established by clinical experience, but no clinical trial data are available.

The amount of gel used should be enough to cover the eye properly.

Follow these instructions carefully.

1. Wash hands thoroughly.
2. Twist off the cap.
3. Look upwards and gently pull down the lower eyelid.
4. Hold the GelTears tube just above your eye and gently squeeze until some gel falls into the gap between your eyeball and lower eyelid.
5. Release the lower eyelid, and move your eye while open to ensure the gel covers the eye completely.
6. Repeat the process in the other eye if necessary.

If you use more GelTears than you should it is very unlikely that you will suffer an overdose, but if you suddenly feel unwell after using the gel, tell your doctor or eye specialist.

If you forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you remember and then continue as before.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via:

United Kingdom

Ireland

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

• The active substance is Carbomer. Each tube contains 2.0mg of carbomer in each 1g of gel.
• The other ingredients are benzalkonium chloride, sorbitol, sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) and water for injection.

GelTears is a clear colourless gel. Each tube contains 10 g of eye gel.

MAH (UK):

MA number (UK): PL 03468/0043

MAH (IE):

MA number (IE): PA22698/003/001

A copy of this Patient Information Leaflet is available in large print and audio format at www.xpil.medicines.org.uk

For any information about this medicine, please contact the Marketing Authorisation Holder (please see above).

During the course of the day we blink 14,000 times on an average. With each blinking motion of the eye, a very thin tear film is distributed over the surface of the eyeball, which keeps it smooth, clean and moist, and protects the eye from pollutants. When the volume or the composition of the tear film is disturbed, desiccation phenomena (drying out) of the cornea and conjunctiva occur and the patient experiences symptoms such as burning, dry eye sensation, gritty feeling, feeling of pressure, and sensitivity to light.

Geltears is a soothing gel solution which moistens the eye and provides tear-like lubrication to the eyes and eyelids. The carbomer in GelTears increases the thickness of the gel which assists the gel in remaining in contact with the eye for a longer period of time.

Your ophthalmologist prescribed a tear substitute for the alleviation of your complaints. In addition to using the preparation consistently as directed, you should follow the recommendations below:

• Let fresh air into your apartment or house several times a day
• Take care that you drink sufficiently
• Go out into the fresh air frequently
• Do not direct air vents towards your eyes
• Take breaks when working in front of a computer screen.

It is, however, also important that you consult your ophthalmologist regularly for follow-up examinations, because dry eye conditions may lead to a serious disease if they are treated incorrectly or inadequately.