Three products from Théa sit next to each other on our shelf, and they are easy to mix up: Thealoz Duo, Thealoz Duo Gel and Thealoz Gel. All three are preservative-free. What separates them is texture and packaging. Here they are side by side, so you can match what is in your hand to what you need to reorder.
The short version
- Thealoz Duo is the liquid drop, in a bottle.
- Thealoz Duo Gel is the gel, in single-dose vials.
- Thealoz Gel is the same gel, in a multidose bottle.
Side by side
| Thealoz Duo | Thealoz Duo Gel | Thealoz Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texture | Liquid drop | Gel | Gel |
| What is in it | Trehalose 3%, sodium hyaluronate 0.15% | Trehalose 3%, sodium hyaluronate 0.15%, carbomer 0.25% | Trehalose 3%, sodium hyaluronate 0.15%, carbomer 0.25% |
| Preservative | None | None | None |
| Phosphate | Phosphate-free | Not stated on the product page | Phosphate-free |
| Pack | Bottle, about 300 drops | 30 single-dose vials, 0.4 g each | 15 mL bottle, about 400 drops |
| After opening | Good for up to 6 months | Each vial is used once | Not stated on the product page |
| Contact lenses | Comfortable to use with lenses in | Take lenses out, wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back | Take lenses out before use |
| Blurring | Not mentioned | A brief blur just after applying is normal | A brief blur just after applying is normal |
How to pick between them
You want something for the whole day
A liquid drop does not blur your vision, so it fits a working day. Thealoz Duo is the liquid one, and it is the only one of the three that can be used with your contact lenses in.
Your eyes are worst at night, or on waking
A gel is thicker, so it stays on the surface of the eye longer and you apply it less often. That comes with a few moments of blur, which is why many people keep a gel for bedtime. Both Thealoz Duo Gel and Thealoz Gel are gels.
You have chosen a gel and now have to choose a format
Thealoz Duo Gel comes as 30 single-dose vials: a fresh vial each time, easy to carry one or two in a pocket. Thealoz Gel comes as one 15 mL bottle of about 400 drops: fewer things to open, one item on the nightstand. The gel itself is the same in both.
What all three have in common
- All three are preservative-free.
- All three are built on the same two moisturizers, trehalose and hyaluronic acid, which is why they feel like a family.
- All three say the same thing about how often to use them: as needed, or as directed by your eye-care professional.
Questions we get at the counter
Is Thealoz Duo Gel just a thicker Thealoz Duo?
In ingredients, close to it. Thealoz Duo Gel uses the same trehalose and hyaluronic acid as Thealoz Duo, with carbomer added to thicken the formula so it clings to the eye longer.
What is the difference between Thealoz Duo Gel and Thealoz Gel?
The packaging. Thealoz Duo Gel is 30 single-dose vials, Thealoz Gel is a 15 mL multidose bottle. What changes is the box, not what goes in your eye.
Can I use these with my contact lenses?
Thealoz Duo is comfortable to use with lenses in. Both gels are different: take your lenses out first. For Thealoz Duo Gel, the directions say to wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back in.
Can I use the drop by day and a gel at night?
Yes, that pairing is one of the reasons people buy the gel. Thealoz Duo Gel is described as pairing well with Thealoz Duo drops in a daytime and nighttime routine.
I do not know which one I was given
Bring the box, or call us at 613-446-4401. If you are not sure which one you were given, your optometrist can tell you.
Key takeaways
- Drop or gel is the first decision. Bottle or vials is the second.
- Thealoz Duo is the liquid drop and the only one usable with lenses in.
- Thealoz Duo Gel and Thealoz Gel are the same gel in two different packs.
- Gels blur briefly, which is why they suit bedtime.
- All three are preservative-free.
You can see all three, with full ingredient lists, in our drops and gels collection. If you are choosing a first drop rather than comparing these three, start with How to Choose an Artificial Tear.
This page is general information, not a substitute for an eye exam. Speak with your optometrist about your eyes.
EyeClub is owned and operated by Rockland Optometry. We earn revenue on products sold here. Product suggestions are general information, not individual medical advice.