Friday, July 25, 2025

Ultra Confusing

I experience dry eye, which is properly named blepharitis. Somehow, once I was supplied with the proper medical term, I felt somewhat better because dry eye seemed like a meaningless generic catchall to me, but blepharitis was scientific and sounded like someone actually had studied the condition and diagnosed it.. But that's just me digressing, as is my wont, and not what the post is about.

Daily, and quite a few times daily, I attempt to ameliorate the condition by putting drops in my eyes. I used to apply Systane Original, which worked well enough, and came in decently-sized containers: 30ml if I recall correctly. That product no longer seems to exist, and now, I must purchase Systane Ultra which comes in small 10ml containers for about the same price. But that is another digression.

Yesterday, I opened the newest container, but after applying it, copious streams of liquid were coursing down my cheeks. You see, I had had to press the previous container quite hard and at length get it to flow. This bottle squirts like the dickens. (My mother's expression although she said, diggens.)

There's no consistency here. There was a blue nozzle on the previous bottle. That is what regulated the flow, and I must say that it eventually yielded enough to moisten my eyes. By regulating the flow, that bottle lasted for quite awhile. I suspect that I will go through this newest bottle quite quickly unless I overcome my learned conditioning, which is to press hard and at length.

I wonder if the absence of this blue nozzle was by design or omission. 

20 comments:

  1. What the heck, I bet you were surprised what you squeezed that bottle!

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  2. Sounds like a cunning marketing design. Use it up faster.

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  3. They're two different ailments but they're related. I have blepharitis but not dry eye. For years I've had to treat my eyelids daily to avoid infection. It's so uncomfortable to have itching eyelids, ew.

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  4. I use the same product - Balance not Ultra- but mine comes out as a drop. I’ve never, even when I used the Original had it released as a stream.
    I sometimes wonder what goes into the product as both Balance and Ultra last for 6 months after opening while Original had to be discarded after 4 weeks .

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  5. Not sure which Systane I'm using but the eye doctor just said I should use it more often. I find I have to lie down and then that one drop hits my lower eye lid and that's enough to make eyes run a bit. And of course during many days there isn't the option to lie down for a treatment, so I just skip it. I was using Pataday for a while too...but just one drop. Never had the adjustable nozzle you talked about.

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  6. I hope it heals quickly ♥️

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  7. We use Systane too, and it always has run down my face. I thought i was just a klutz. Now I wonder if new bottles are going to be worse! Larry gets his through the VA, so his is free, thankfully.

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  8. My husband has blepharitis that requires medical attention, it affects the areas around his eyes, too. How annoying though that you accidentally applied too much, particularly since it is now about three times the price!

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  9. I think it's by design.

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  10. I use drops as well, for contact lense dryness. I think they are all different, I dislike having to squeeze the diggins out of the bottle!

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  11. Companies are always making things better, changing things and discontinuing products that we are used to. It's frustrating.

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  12. It's truly frustrating when something you rely on for a chronic condition, like your eye drops, changes so drastically without warning or consistent design. Your observation about "blepharitis" sounding more legitimate than "dry eye" resonates; having a precise diagnosis often brings a sense of validation. The inconsistency in bottle design and flow rate, especially after you've developed a routine, can turn a simple self-care act into a messy challenge. It makes one question the logic behind such product alterations. I just shared a new post. You are invited to read. Thank you. Have a nice weekend.

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  13. Dry eye is the a problem since cataract surgery. I hate it.

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  14. I use Refresh Mega-3 in the tiny vials for one or two uses. If you're using a tiny bottle, try a medical supply store and get an eye drop spacer. It's a little blue hinged plastic cuplet that you attach the vial to at the collar, remove the lid, and fold over the hinge, and look through it at a little hole. When you squeeze the vial, one drop plops into your open eye. Great for folks like me that can't coordinate themselves to getting a drop into their eyeball. Look for manufacturer coupons to get stuff cheaper. Linda in Kansas

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  15. Systane is a dearest brand on our pharmacy shelves here

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  16. Dry eye is bad enough without the crooks trying to rob you.

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  17. I use Systane every night but haven't experienced this problem.

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  18. I am terrible with various containers and usually end up spraying or using too much! I press too hard!

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