Products
Carbomers are commercially available as eye drops and eye gels (tear substitutes). Furthermore, they are contained in many gels and other medicinal products as excipients. They are also used in medical devices and personal care products. Pure carbomers, such as the commonly used carbomer 980, are available from specialty retailers and pharmacies.
Structure and properties
Carbomers are high molecular weight polymers of acrylic acid that are cross-linked with polyalkenethers of sugars or polyalcohols. They exist as white, loose and very hygroscopic powders. Carbomers swell in water and are therefore also used as gelling agents. A typical example is carbomer 980.
Effects
Carbomers (ATC S01XA20) form a translucent, moisturizing, and conditioning lubricating and protective film on the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye and serve as a substitute for tear fluid. They have general water-binding, gelling, thickening and stabilizing properties.
Indications for use
- For the treatment of dry eyes. As a replacement of tear fluid in case of insufficient or deficient moistening of the ocular surface.
- As pharmaceutical excipients. Carbomers are often used for the manufacture of gels.
- For the treatment of burns (burn gels), for the promotion of wound healing (wound healing gels).
