I just posted a review on Amazon. While it was about Systane, an eye lubricant, it's main ingredient is propylene glycol. I included some comments about propylene glycol in e-liquids. Thought I would post my comments here, also.
5.0 out of 5 stars Systane for Dry Eye Relief, April 4, 2012
By
Versus (Fleming County, Kentucky) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Systane Eye Drops, Lubricant, Long Lasting 0.5 fl oz (15 ml) (Health and Beauty)
Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops, 2-count .33 fl oz (10 ml) BottleI am mostly writing this to present a balanced review profile. Systane..."works on two levels to help reduce the symptoms of dry eye, offering both long-lasting relief and an enhanced ENVIRONMENT for ocular surface repair". The emphasis on environment is mine. Note that Systane does not directly repair the eye surface, rather it provides a more lubricated eye environment by sustaining an adequate tear film on the eye. I have used Systane as recommended to me by my eye surgeon. In addition to what I have read about Systane, he emphasized to me that Systane's intended purpose is to improve moisture on the eye surface which would lead to increased eye comfort and help prevent damage caused by dry eye. "Most eye lubricants only add volume to the tear film, providing only short-term relief. "SYSTANE® works with your tears to prevent them from dissipating as quickly, offering long-lasting relief." The quotes are from the Systane professional web site. There is an excellent video on the professional site that explains how Systane is able to sustain a longer lasting adequate tear film on the eye. I am not affiliated with Alcon, the maker of Systane, but I am a health care practitioner.
At the time of writing this, there is only one other reviewer for this product. That reviewer stated that her vision worsened while using this product. I suppose that is possible if, for instance, she had some kind of allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in the Systane. But that could be said of any medication. The main active ingredient is propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a lubricant. It is also currently one of the two main ingredients used in e-liquids for electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). I recently read an article in which the author pointed to a very small study of e-cig users versus cigarette smokers that seemed to indicate that propylene glycol might be a mild irritant but it was also stated that the irritation was short lived and there was no indication of any long term effect. (By the way, that study also found that short term lung function was better in e-cigarette users versus cigarette smokers.) The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for propylene glycol lists it as a hygroscopic (attracts water). It also says that propylene glycol MAY be a mild respiratory irritant. The problem that I have when I read any suggestion of irritation with propylene glycol is that propylene glycol has long been used in respiratory inhalers for asthmatics. Huh? So, if propylene glycol is a respiratory irritant, albeit mild, why has it been used in inhalers for asthmatics for years? Must be very darn mild irritation. if any, don't you think? The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) lists propylene glycol as GRAS, generally recognized as safe when used as an additive for foods and medications.
If the other reviewer is convinced that Systane actually caused problems for her eyes, then she should stop using it But my current opinion, unless proven otherwise, is that more than likely the vast majority of users are not going to have problems with it and that Systane will help them. The very minimal risk, if there truly is any, is far outweighed by the benefit. Alcon, the maker of Systane, is a respected name in eye care products along with Bausch and Lomb. The other reviewer stated that he/she read that the best eye drops use normal saline. Normal saline is just salt water at a concentration of 0.9%, which mimics the body's concentration of salt in body fluids. Normal saline has long been used to provide moisture to the eye and is in many eye products. Normal saline is used to rinse, moisten contact lenses for instance. However, it provides only brief improvement in moisture as compared to Systane which provides a sustained increase in the tear film. I repeat, normal saline is just water with a little salt. So, in effect the other reviewer is giving up a longer acting lubricant in favor of a very short acting lubricant, normal saline. Based on my current knowledge, it wouldn't be my choice by a long shot! Systane provides relief for my eye dryness, definitely better than using saline drops, and I will be continuing to use it.
I did not get my Systane from Amazon, I started with the sample I was provided by my eye surgeon, then when I needed more, I got it from my local pharmacy because I was already there for something else - convenience factor. However, I do plan to continue using it and will likely be buying it from Amazon in the future. I use Systane Ultra during the day. I decided to try the Systane gel or ointment for eye moisture protection at night, so I will be buying one of those on Amazon today. If I ever hear anything that makes me change my current opinion of Systane, I will try to remember to update here.
5.0 out of 5 stars Systane for Dry Eye Relief, April 4, 2012
By
Versus (Fleming County, Kentucky) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Systane Eye Drops, Lubricant, Long Lasting 0.5 fl oz (15 ml) (Health and Beauty)
Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops, 2-count .33 fl oz (10 ml) BottleI am mostly writing this to present a balanced review profile. Systane..."works on two levels to help reduce the symptoms of dry eye, offering both long-lasting relief and an enhanced ENVIRONMENT for ocular surface repair". The emphasis on environment is mine. Note that Systane does not directly repair the eye surface, rather it provides a more lubricated eye environment by sustaining an adequate tear film on the eye. I have used Systane as recommended to me by my eye surgeon. In addition to what I have read about Systane, he emphasized to me that Systane's intended purpose is to improve moisture on the eye surface which would lead to increased eye comfort and help prevent damage caused by dry eye. "Most eye lubricants only add volume to the tear film, providing only short-term relief. "SYSTANE® works with your tears to prevent them from dissipating as quickly, offering long-lasting relief." The quotes are from the Systane professional web site. There is an excellent video on the professional site that explains how Systane is able to sustain a longer lasting adequate tear film on the eye. I am not affiliated with Alcon, the maker of Systane, but I am a health care practitioner.
At the time of writing this, there is only one other reviewer for this product. That reviewer stated that her vision worsened while using this product. I suppose that is possible if, for instance, she had some kind of allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in the Systane. But that could be said of any medication. The main active ingredient is propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a lubricant. It is also currently one of the two main ingredients used in e-liquids for electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). I recently read an article in which the author pointed to a very small study of e-cig users versus cigarette smokers that seemed to indicate that propylene glycol might be a mild irritant but it was also stated that the irritation was short lived and there was no indication of any long term effect. (By the way, that study also found that short term lung function was better in e-cigarette users versus cigarette smokers.) The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for propylene glycol lists it as a hygroscopic (attracts water). It also says that propylene glycol MAY be a mild respiratory irritant. The problem that I have when I read any suggestion of irritation with propylene glycol is that propylene glycol has long been used in respiratory inhalers for asthmatics. Huh? So, if propylene glycol is a respiratory irritant, albeit mild, why has it been used in inhalers for asthmatics for years? Must be very darn mild irritation. if any, don't you think? The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) lists propylene glycol as GRAS, generally recognized as safe when used as an additive for foods and medications.
If the other reviewer is convinced that Systane actually caused problems for her eyes, then she should stop using it But my current opinion, unless proven otherwise, is that more than likely the vast majority of users are not going to have problems with it and that Systane will help them. The very minimal risk, if there truly is any, is far outweighed by the benefit. Alcon, the maker of Systane, is a respected name in eye care products along with Bausch and Lomb. The other reviewer stated that he/she read that the best eye drops use normal saline. Normal saline is just salt water at a concentration of 0.9%, which mimics the body's concentration of salt in body fluids. Normal saline has long been used to provide moisture to the eye and is in many eye products. Normal saline is used to rinse, moisten contact lenses for instance. However, it provides only brief improvement in moisture as compared to Systane which provides a sustained increase in the tear film. I repeat, normal saline is just water with a little salt. So, in effect the other reviewer is giving up a longer acting lubricant in favor of a very short acting lubricant, normal saline. Based on my current knowledge, it wouldn't be my choice by a long shot! Systane provides relief for my eye dryness, definitely better than using saline drops, and I will be continuing to use it.
I did not get my Systane from Amazon, I started with the sample I was provided by my eye surgeon, then when I needed more, I got it from my local pharmacy because I was already there for something else - convenience factor. However, I do plan to continue using it and will likely be buying it from Amazon in the future. I use Systane Ultra during the day. I decided to try the Systane gel or ointment for eye moisture protection at night, so I will be buying one of those on Amazon today. If I ever hear anything that makes me change my current opinion of Systane, I will try to remember to update here.
. After a very satisfying first batch e-liq 75/25 pg/vg with double flavor, I tried 30/70 pg/vg standard flavor for my second batch. Relative to my first batch, flavor so muted, scratchy/dry throat, dry mouth, ulcers, coughing, all and all a total dang where goes my joyful vaping experience? I was prepared for a "slightly" muted flavor, a definitive more vapor. Not this! Thought since I so enjoy PG bas, and have no allergic reaction, certainly VG, generally said to be alternative for those allergic to PG, should be oh just fine. Obviously, should've read more about e-liq here on ecf rather than spending so much time admiring those shiny tubes 
