This month, a new line of hydrating drops, OptiChoice, has become available in pharmacies and clinics across Australia and New Zealand. The OptiChoice range consists of 2 types of preservative-free eye drops: one with 0.2% and the other 0.4% sodium hyaluronate.
OptiChoice 0.2% will be a direct competitor to the popular HYLO-FORTE®. Whereas OptiChoice 0.4% will be Australia and New Zealand's first ever 0.4% sodium hyaluronate eye drop. The drops will be available over-the-counter (OTC) and won’t require a prescription.
This addition will be welcomed for many dry eye patients down under, especially if they need something stronger and more concentrated compared to HYLO-FORTE®, but also less viscous compared to ointments.
Currently, there are no official announcements or confirmed timelines regarding the expansion of OptiChoice 0.2% and 0.4% eye drops into international markets. At this stage, the brand appears strictly focused on its rollout within the Australian and NZ market.
Want to know more about the OptiChoice range of eye drops? Let’s look into them further and see what makes them special.
To understand why these drops are effective, we must look at the active ingredient: Sodium Hyaluronate (HA) or Hyaluronic Acid.
HA is a naturally occurring molecule found throughout the human body, particularly in the eye's vitreous humor and within joint fluid. In the context of eye drops, HA acts as a biological moisture magnet, capable of binding and retaining an immense amount of water relative to its size.
Crucially, HA is a non-Newtonian fluid. This means its viscosity changes dynamically based on the physical force applied to it:
During a Blink: The force of your eyelid moving across the eye thins the drop out instantly. This prevents excessive blurred vision and allows the lid to glide smoothly without friction.
Between Blinks: When the eye is open and resting, the drop thickens, forming a stable, protective viscoelastic shield over the cornea that resists rapid evaporation.
0.2% vs. 0.4%: Which drop is better for me?
The higher the concentration, the longer the drops will remain on the ocular surface to provide relief, repair damaged cells and protect again moisture evaporation. However, the drops will be thicker and cause more temporary blurred vision.
Compared to the competition, HYLO-FRESH® is 0.1% and HYLO-FORTE® is 0.2%.
1. OptiChoice 0.2%
Overview: At 0.2%, this is a robust, high-quality concentration designed for frequent daytime use. It provides excellent, sustained relief without feeling overly heavy.
Best For: Mild to moderate dry eye, including evaporative dry eye (such as meibomian gland dysfunction) and environmental dryness caused by extended screen time, air conditioning, or wind.
Contact Lens Compatibility: Because it delivers high hydration without excessive thickness, the 0.2% formulation is safe and comfortable to use directly over contact lenses for a moisture boost.
2. OptiChoice 0.4% - Heavy-Duty
Overview: A 0.4% HA concentration is highly viscous, meaning it is noticeably thicker and adheres to the ocular surface for a significantly longer period.
Best For: Moderate to severe dry eye disease. This is the preferred drop for patients dealing with significant surface damage, severe aqueous deficiency, or those who suffer from incomplete eyelid closure during sleep (lagophthalmos). It can be more comfortable and less sticky compared to other night gels and ointments.
Transient Blurring: Because of its intense 0.4% viscosity, this drop will likely cause your vision to blur for a few moments immediately after instillation. While highly effective, you should avoid using it right before driving or performing highly visually demanding tasks. It serves as an exceptional alternative to night ointments and can also be used with contact lenses.
Crucial Formulation Features: Preservative-free and Phosphate-free
When managing a chronic condition that requires drops 4 to 6 times a day, what is left out of the bottle is just as important as the active ingredient. OptiChoice has engineered these drops to be incredibly safe for the ocular surface.
100% Preservative-Free: Traditional eye drops often contain harsh chemical preservatives like Benzalkonium Chloride (BAK) to prevent bacterial growth in the bottle. Unfortunately, chronic exposure to BAK actively strips the tear film's delicate oil layer and causes toxic damage to corneal cells. OptiChoice utilizes a specialized, multi-dose pump bottle that keeps the liquid sterile for months after opening, entirely eliminating the need for toxic preservatives.
Phosphate-Free: Some eye drops use phosphate buffers to stabilize the liquid. However, in patients with severely dry, compromised corneas, these phosphates can react with natural calcium in the tear film, leading to the formation of insoluble crystals and permanent corneal calcification. By formulating these drops without phosphates, OptiChoice is safe to use on damaged ocular surfaces.
Consult Your Practitioner: If you are unsure which concentration fits your specific diagnosis, especially if you suffer from advanced meibomian gland dysfunction or severe corneal staining, discuss these new options with your eye care professional at your next visit.