Highlights

• Active ingredient: Glycerin 0.3%
• Contains sodium hyaluronate
• European-style preservative-free multi-dose bottle
  
• 0.33 fl oz (10mL)

Rebecca's description

The drop

This is a somewhat tricky product to describe, because I have to say both what it is and what it isn't.

What it is: A great new addition to the already strong Optase product line. This drop slots neatly between Optase Hylo Relief (lightweight no-blur, rather similar in viscosity to Refresh Plus) and Optase Dry Eye Intense (heavyweight-in-action, not super thick but yet the thickest in the Optase lineup). I think this is going to be a great drop for people on many parts of the symptom spectrum. 

What it isn't: The Hylo Forte sold in Europe. Both the active and the inactive ingredients are substantially different, as a result of having to be reformulated to meet US regulatory restrictions. What they have in common is the sodium hyaluronate. For more information, check out this blog post differentiating Hylo Forte from Optase Hylo Forte.

I have never personally used the European Hylo Forte. I would be very interested in feedback from folks who have and who can compare the two.

The bottle

Optase Hylo Forte is packaged in the COMOD bottle. This has long been standard in Europe, but is not commonly used in the US. You may be familiar with this bottle from Optase Hylo Relief or from the now-discontinued Retaine HPMC product.

What the COMOD bottle is very good at is giving a consistent measured dose. I love this aspect, and it makes for a long lasting bottle. As with all MDPF bottles, you need to handle it correctly and prime it. But I think the flat-top bottles are much easier to mess up by squeezing them too hard. 

On the other hand, COMOD's dispenser is a long pointy thing, and you can poke yourself in the eye if you're not careful. For example, if you ever apply drops "blind" - e.g. grabbing a bottle from the nightstand in the middle of the night - you're better off with a flat top bottle. Similarly, if you have poor depth perception, a flat top bottle may be safer for you.

Learn more about preservative-free bottles in this article in the DES Knowledge Base.

Updated 1/23/26

Manufacturer's description

What is OPTASE HYLO Forte?

Optase Hylo Forte™ is a sterile, preservative-free, advanced multi-action formula that offers extra moisturization

Composition:

Active ingredients: Glycerin (0.3%)

Inactive ingredients: Borax, Boric Acid, Citric Acid anhydrous, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate Dihydrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water.

Each bottle contains 300 drops (10mL)

How does Optase Hylo Forte Work?

• The drop provides active glycerin to target ocular surface dryness and discomfort.
• The drop spreads across the eye to form an adaptive viscoelastic network thermally activated by the eye temperature.
• This provides protective cushioning and hydration to help stabilize a disrupted tear film and protects against friction caused by lens wear.
• This protection is maintained even on blinking and has minimal blur.
• The HYLO® delivery system guarantees 300 calibrated, preservative-free drops with a 6-month shelf life — offering consistent value with every use.

How should Optase Hylo Forte be used?

1. Wash hands well before use
2. Please do not use OPTASE® HYLO FORTE if any part of the protective seal on the folding carton is broken or damaged before using for the first time.
3. To prime the system, remove the over-cap and invert the OPTASE® HYLO FORTE bottle with its tip pointing down.
4. Place two fingers on the base of the bottle  and press your thumb on the shoulder of the bottle then press and release firmly on the base several times until the first drop is released. The bottle is now primed.
5. Remove the over-cap and invert the OPTASE® HYLO FORTE bottle with its tip pointing down.
6. Support the hand holding the bottle with the other hand.
7. Hold the bottle as previously shown.
8. With your head leaning back slightly, pull down your lower eyelid.
9. Press the base of the bottle to enable the pump function, while ensuring that no direct contact is made with the eye. This enables the bottle to release one drop into the conjunctival sac.
10. Release and repeat for the other eye.
11. After each application, slowly close your eye to allow the fluid to spread evenly over the eye surface.
12. Please avoid any contact between the tip of the bottle and your eye or your skin.
13. After application, ensure that the tip is dry. Then replace the over-cap back on the bottle.

Priming the system:

To prime the system, remove the over-cap and invert the Optase Hylo Forte bottle with its tip pointing down.

Place two fingers on the base and your thumb on the shoulder of the bottle and press firmly on the base and release. Repeat this several times until the first drop is released. The bottle is now primed.

What else do you need to know?

• Keep out of reach of children. Optase Hylo Forte is for external use only. Please wash your hands before use.
• During use, and to avoid contamination, please avoid any contact between the tip of the bottle and your eye or your skin. Do not touch the tip of the bottle with fingers.
• After application, ensure that the tip is dry, then replace the over-cap back on the bottle.
  
• Do not touch the eye or contact lens with the tip of the bottle.
  

When should Optase Hylo Forte not be used?

Optase Hylo Forte should not be used if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients.

What do you need to know about storing Optase Hylo Forte?

• Optase Hylo Forte should not be stored above 25C (77F), and protected from direct sunshine and heat.
• Optase Hylo Forte can be used for 6 months after opening. 
• Do not use beyond the expiry date shown on the bottle and imprinted on the packaging carton, or after discard date (6 months from opening).
• Do not use if the bottle is damaged, or the tamper evident seal is damaged.
• Discard the empty bottle appropriately.

Are there any contraindications for Optase Hylo Forte?

Stop use and ask doctor if you feel pain, changes in vision occur, redness or irritation of the eye lasts or if condition worsens or lasts more than 72 hours.

Do not use if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients. If in doubt, consult a healthcare professional.

Drug facts

Active Ingredients

0.3% glycerin. Purpose: Eye lubricant

Uses

• For use as a lubricant to prevent further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye.
• May be used as a protectant against further irritation
• To relieve dryness of the eye

Warnings

For external use only

If solution changes color or becomes cloudy, do not use.

Stop use and ask doctor if

• You feel eye pain
  
• Changes in vision occur
• Redness or irritation of the eye lasts
• Condition worsens or lasts more than 72 hours

Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.

Directions

Put one or two drops in the affected eye as needed

Other information

Use only if tamper evidence seal on the lid is intact

Do not store above 25 C (77 F)

Inactive ingredients

Borax, Boric Acid, Citric Acid anhydrous, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate Dihydrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water