{"product_id":"viscotears-gel-pf-preservative-free-30-vials","title":"Viscotears Gel PF — Preservative-Free Unit Dose (30 Vials)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✔ Stock on hand — ships NZ-wide from Rose Optometry, Hamilton.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eThe same gel, without the preservative\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eViscotears Gel PF is the same \u003cstrong\u003ecarbomer\u003c\/strong\u003e gel as the tube, supplied as \u003cstrong\u003e30 preservative-free single-dose vials\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is the version we steer most people toward, and the reason is straightforward.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe standard \u003ca href=\"\/products\/viscotears-liquid-gel\"\u003eViscotears Liquid Gel\u003c\/a\u003e contains cetrimide, a preservative. That is perfectly acceptable for occasional use. But a gel is typically dosed several times a day, and preservatives are hard on the ocular surface with repeated exposure. Do it every day for months and patients end up using more gel because their eyes are more irritated — which means more preservative, which means more irritation. We see that loop constantly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTake the preservative out and the ceiling disappears. You can dose as often as you genuinely need without the product itself becoming a factor, which is exactly what long-term dry eye management requires.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe honest caveat: it costs more per dose than the tube.\u003c\/strong\u003e That is the trade and we won't pretend otherwise. If you reach for a gel occasionally — a windy day, a long flight — buy the tube and save your money.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho it's for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone dosing more than about four times a day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSensitive or reactive ocular surfaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-term, indefinite daily use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who finds preserved drops sting, or leave the eye red by evening.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot the economical choice for occasional users — buy the tube for that.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get asked\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it contain a preservative?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. That is the entire point of this version, and why it suits frequent dosing. The rule worth repeating: more than four doses a day, go \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/preservative-free-eye-drops-nz\"\u003epreservative-free\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it blur my vision?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBriefly — usually under a minute. It is a gel, so more than a thin drop and far less than an ointment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it with contact lenses in?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Take lenses out first and give it at least 30 minutes before reinserting. Being preservative-free does not change that — it is the gel's consistency that is the problem on a lens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use one vial across the day?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are single-use. Once opened, use it and discard it — there is no preservative keeping the contents sterile.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often can I use it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollow the pack instructions, but without the preservative ceiling there is far more headroom than with the tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it worth the extra cost over the tube?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you use it daily and indefinitely, yes. If you use it occasionally, no — buy the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/viscotears-liquid-gel\"\u003e10g tube\u003c\/a\u003e. And the same point as always: a gel manages dryness, it does not treat the cause. If you are using drops several times a day and still uncomfortable, the drop isn't the problem — the diagnosis is. The usual culprit is the oil glands in the lid margin, which respond to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/iflo-usb-heated-eye-mask\"\u003eheat\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lid-hygiene-blepharitis-nz\"\u003elid hygiene\u003c\/a\u003e. Read \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/eye-health\/evaporative-dry-eye-mgd-why-your-drops-arent-working\"\u003emeibomian gland dysfunction\u003c\/a\u003e, browse the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dry-eye-drops-nz\"\u003edry eye range\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/optimel-nz\"\u003eOptimel manuka honey drops\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.myhealth1st.com.au\/appointmentWidget\/?practiceId=9357\u0026amp;treatmentId=3022\"\u003eBook a free Dry Eye Evaluation\u003c\/a\u003e in Hamilton — 15 minutes, no cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy from Rose Optometry\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndependent, optometrist-owned New Zealand practice — in Hamilton since 1969.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree optometrist advice with every order; reply to your order email and a clinician answers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree NZ shipping on orders over $100, sent from Hamilton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Bausch and Lomb","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52825148719385,"sku":null,"price":21.9,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0793\/9263\/7209\/files\/Viscotears-Gel-PF.jpg?v=1785027931","url":"https:\/\/store.roseoptom.co.nz\/products\/viscotears-gel-pf-preservative-free-30-vials","provider":"Rose Optometry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}