Rohto Mentholatum is the new Australasian distributor for Melcare’s Optimel manuka eye drops for dry eye, which will be distributed in New Zealand and Australia, together with Rohto’s Dry Aid lubricant eye drops, by Australian ophthalmic product supplier Ophthalmopro.

Designs for Vision has successfully represented Optimel products in New Zealand for many years and will continue to do so, said Melcare president Anthony Moloney. “We are delighted that Rohto Mentholatum/Ophthalmopro will also complement their range of dry eye diagnostic and consulting room therapies with Optimel products.” This means practices will have a choice in future, he said, while assuring existing users they will be unaffected by the change.

 Melcare's Anthony Moloney

The Australian-made high-activity Manuka+ (16.5% honey in a saline solution) eye drop helps restore eye comfort and reduces inflammation by reducing bacteria that may potentially colonise the eyelid margin causing inflammation, poor tear quality and trauma to the eye surface, said Moloney. A study published by the British Journal of Ophthalmology found Optimel formulated eye drops with Leptospermum (mānuka myrtle) honey were effective in reducing tear film evaporation rate and more effective for improving symptoms of dry eye compared with conventional lubricant eye drops after 28 days of treatment.

While the Optimel drop contains benzoic acid preservative, the optometry-only Optimel Manuka+ Forte Eye Gel, contains 98% Manuka honey and is preservative free. Its high viscosity also makes it well suited for night-time use on the eyelid margins, said Moloney. “This product is ideal for moderate to severe dry eye disease, particularly meibomian gland disease and blepharitis.” Melcare’s third product in the range is the Optimel Manuka+ Eyelid Cream, which is indicated for skincare post-IPL and for helping manage seborrheic dermatitis, a condition associated with up to 46% of patients with MGD, said Moloney.