Ophthalmologist Dr Chandra Balaratnasingam talks about why he uses Bausch + Lomb’s Minims range and how it helps him achieve better outcomes with his patients.
When running a busy surgical or clinical practice, every small detail that improves precision, workflow and patient comfort counts. For many ophthalmologists, Bausch + Lomb’s Minims range of single-use, preservative-free eye drops has become one of those quiet yet indispensable tools – a simple innovation that streamlines daily procedures while helping protect delicate eyes.
At the Lions Eye Institute in Western Australia, consultant ophthalmologist and medical director Dr Chandra Balaratnasingam has been using Bausch + Lomb products for more than 20 years.
Over that time, he’s seen the Minims range play an increasingly central role in both diagnostic and surgical care.
“They’re accessible, easy to use, and there’s little risk of contamination,” says Dr Balaratnasingam. “In the clinic and operating theatre, that makes a real difference. And because you can get preservative-free versions, they’re ideal for patients with allergies or sensitivities – it’s a much gentler experience for them.”
In the era of optimisation, the smallest efficiencies can translate into safer, smoother procedures – particularly in ophthalmology.
Minims, individually packaged, sterile, single-dose ampoules, are designed precisely for this purpose. They eliminate the need to open multi-use bottles that can sit on benches or trolleys throughout the day, reducing the risk of cross-contamination between patients.
“We use a single Minims ampoule per patient,” Dr Balaratnasingam explains. “Instead of opening an entire bottle of, say, phenylephrine to dilate the pupil, we use one ampoule for that one patient. There’s no cross-contamination risk, and it’s safer for everyone.”
For clinics that see a high patient volume or run concurrent operating sessions, that simplicity brings peace of mind.
The disposable format not only ensures sterility but also saves staff from constantly tracking expiry dates or bottle usage times.
In theatres, where time and precision matter most, it’s one less variable to worry about.
Gentle, preservative-free care
A key advantage of the Minims range is its preservative-free formulation, available across its solutions.
Preservatives are used in multi-dose bottles to prevent microbial growth, but they can irritate or inflame the ocular surface, particularly in patients with allergies, dry eye, or those recovering from surgery.
“In my experience, Minims are more tolerable and reduce inflammation post-surgery,” says Dr Balaratnasingam. “Because they’re preservative-free, they’re gentler on the eye. That’s really important after an operation, when the eye is already inflamed.”
Patients who are sensitive to traditional eye drops often notice the difference immediately.
“We see it quite often,” he adds. “If someone doesn’t tolerate the standard drops, switching them to Minims usually solves the problem. They’re happier, more comfortable, and there’s less ocular surface irritation. It’s not an uncommon scenario at all.”
For this reason, Dr Balaratnasingam and his colleagues often reserve Minims for patients known to have sensitivities or allergies, or those who have previously reacted to preservatives in standard eye drops.
There are 16 products in the range that are across miotics, mydriatics and cycloplegics, local anaesthetics, stains, and ophthalmic antibiotics and corticosteroids.
Among the most commonly used formulations:
• Minims Phenylephrine – for pupil dilation during diagnostic or surgical procedures.
• Minims Tropicamide – also used for dilation, particularly in eye examinations.
• Minims Amethocaine – a local anaesthetic that numbs the eye for minor procedures.
• Minims Prednisolone – a corticosteroid for treating non-infectious inflammation.
• Minims Fluorescein – a diagnostic dye used in tonometry and corneal assessments.
In Dr Balaratnasingam’s practice, these products support every phase of the clinical pathway.
“In theatre we use the dilating drops; in clinic, the anaesthetic drops,” he says. “Post-operatively, we’ll use antibiotic or steroid drops when needed for anti-inflammatory effect, especially in patients with allergies.
“The nice thing is you can access everything you need within the same product family.”
That consistency also makes staff training and inventory management easier.
“It works well, and the patients tolerate it – those are the two most important things,” he says. “You have access to the entire range you need to run the clinic or the operating theatre. It ticks all the boxes.”
Workflow and accessibility
Ease of use extends beyond the clinician. Because Minims ampoules are pre-measured, ancillary staff can confidently prepare or administer them without complex dosing calculations.
“Our nurses usually put the drops in before I see the patient,” says Dr Balaratnasingam. “It’s very straightforward – the single-use format is ideal for the workflow.”
The packaging also means the drops are quick to access and store. In large multidisciplinary centres like the Lions Eye Institute, where patient lists can vary from day to day, that flexibility is invaluable.
“They’re very accessible, and they work well,” says Dr Balaratnasingam. “That’s probably why I’ve been using them for two decades.”
While Minims are slightly more expensive than standard bottled drops, he considers the investment worthwhile, especially for sensitive patients or when sterility is critical.
“The cost is a little higher, but it’s worth it,” he says.
“You get fewer patients coming back with issues, and in our field, that’s always the priority.”
Interestingly, Dr Balaratnasingam notes that some patients are now aware of preservative-free options and even request Minims by name.
“It does happen,” he says. “Often, these are patients we’ve looked after for years who already know they’re sensitive to certain drops. They’ll ask for the preservative-free option straight away – and Minims makes that easy.”
This growing awareness mirrors broader consumer trends toward preservative-free and single-use healthcare products.
A legacy of reliability
Bausch + Lomb has been a cornerstone of global eye care for more than 170 years, and its Minims line exemplifies the brand’s focus on combining innovation with practicality.
Originally introduced to bring sterile, single-dose convenience to hospital and clinic environments, Minims have evolved into an essential component of daily ophthalmic practice – trusted for their reliability, range and consistent quality.
For specialists like Dr Balaratnasingam, that reliability underpins his long association with the brand.
“Bausch + Lomb has always provided high-quality products – from surgical lenses to pharmaceuticals like Minims,” he says. “They’ve played an important role in ophthalmology for a long time.”
Ultimately, what keeps Minims in steady use across clinics and operating theatres is their balance of clinical precision and patient comfort. For ophthalmologists, they simplify processes, reduce infection risk and support consistent outcomes, says Dr Balaratnasingam.
For patients – particularly those with sensitivities or complex eye conditions – they provide a gentler, safer experience that supports healing and satisfaction.
