Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (Eye Drops), Used To Relieve Eye Dryness and Soreness

 Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (also known as hypromellose) is a type of sulfur compound commonly used in the pharmaceuticals industry. Hypromellose is a viscous, semisimple, inert, optical, synthetic polymer found as eye drops, in various commercial products, and an excipient and control delivery element in many oral drugs. It has applications in various fields such as anti-inflammatory, blood vessel dilating, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-tumor and styptic, as well as prostate, rheumatic, and skeletal diseases.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a viscoelastic, semi-substrate, controlled-release polymer typically used as an injector and exciter injection solution in oral medications, found in various commercial cosmetic products. Hypromellose ophthalmic systems are usually made with silicone hydrochloride, calcium hydroxyapatite, or polymethylmethacrylate, a material which contains aluminum, boron, or phosphorus. This material can be added to silicone hydrodensives and then injected into the eye, or the patient may opt for a silicon hydrofluoric acid solution that is put into the eye through a tube inserted into the cheek. Some manufacturers combine both the processes into one, to help the doctor to deliver more effective therapy at lower cost.

In most cases, the eye-drops are delivered directly into the eye, although in some cases, tiny amounts are injected into the cheek for less dramatic results. The dosage depends on the doctor's discretion, the severity of the patient's condition, and the success rate of the product. Moreover, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is considered non-toxic to humans, except children who should be under the care of an eye specialist and should avoid contact with hypromellose ophthalmic products including eye drops.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is produced from cellulose, a natural polymer and fiber, which is considered to be safe for human consumption. It is used to relieve irritation and dryness caused by reduced tear flow. It helps to protect the eye from damage in some eye diseases. Furthermore, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is approved by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as both a direct and an indirect food additive and is approved for use as a food additive by the European Union (EU).