Eyedrops

Eye drops can be very helpful in treating diseasesof the eye. But it's important to remember that all medications, including eye drops, can have serious side effects. Many medicines treat illness, but they can sometimes cause problems as well.
Eye diseases can be treated with eye drops. Most of the medication stays in the eyes and only a small amount flows into the rest of the body, so there are usually less risk of side effects than with oral medicines.

Some side effects of eye drops are local, meaning they affect only the eyes and not the whole body. Yet, just like any other medicine, eye drops can affect your overall health as well as your eyes.

Using medications wisely

When your physician prescribes any medication for you, you should always be aware of the following important information:

	1) Make sure you know the name of the medicine. Medications always have a "generic" name as well as a brand name; the generic name can be found in fine print on the label.
	2) Make sure you know how often you need to take the medicine. Read the package insert that contains details about warnings and side effects. Call your ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) if you have questions.
	3) If uncomfortable symptoms occur when using eye drops, You should call your ophthalmologist.

Sometimes your ophthalmologist can prescribe another medication or suggest a different method of treating the problem. But at times the eye drops are so important that you may have to tolerate some of the side effects in order to treat the condition.

Allergies

Make sure to let your ophthalmologist (and all of the doctors who care for you) know if you are allergic or have ever been allergic to any medications. Any medicine can cause allergy, even non-prescription drops that have chemical preservatives. Sometimes eye medications are chemical "relatives" of drugs that have caused you problems in the past. It is very important to tell your doctor of any past allergic reactions to any medicines, both eyedrops and oral medications.
Allergic reactions to eye drops often cause itching, eyelid swelling and a red rash around the eyes. If your eyes or eyelids become more red, itchy or swollen after you begin using an eye drop, you should tell your ophthalmologist.

Eye drops during an examination

Dilating drops

Your ophthalmologist uses eye drops to dilate, or enlarge, the pupils of the eye. This allows him or her to see the retina and lens inside of your eye. Because driving may be difficult right after an examination, it's best if you make arrangements to get a ride home after an eye exam. Additionally, your ophthalmologist may give you a pair of disposable sunglasses to use after your exam.

Anesthetic drops

Anesthetics are painkillers that numb the eyes within a few seconds. These drops should be used only in the doctor's office and never at home. Repeated use can harm the surface of the eye and even cause serious scarring that requires a corneal transplant to treat.

Non-prescription eye drops

You can buy many eye drops without a prescription. But remember that even though you can buy them over the counter, these drops still contain possibly toxic medications.

The drops should be used according to the directions of your physician and the directions on the package. Be aware of any symptoms you may experience since non-prescription drops can also cause an allergic reaction.

Artificial tear drops

Artificial tear drops are solutions that can soothe irritated or dry eyes. You can use them as often as needed. Drops without preservatives are available for people with sensitivities to preservatives.

Decongestant drops

Decongestant drops (like Visine(TM)) contain a medicine that whitens the eyes by shrinking, or constricting, blood vessels. While these drops don't improve the health of your eye, decongestant drops make the eye appear less red.
Usually they are harmless if not used too often. If used more than two or three days in a row, these drops may cause excessive eye redness, by causing the blood vessels to dilate more than they were originally.

Prescription eye drops

Steroid (corticosteroids) drops

These drops are extremely potent and should be used only under your ophthalmologist's guidance. Using them for an eye problem without telling your ophthalmologist is dangerous, and possibly sight threatening.

Whenever corticosteroids are used, they reduce your eye's ability to fight infection and to repair injury. Using them over time without careful monitoring from your ophthalmologist can lead to glaucoma and cataracts, which can cause you to lose sight.

In spite of the risks, the benefits of using steroids are so important in treating certain conditions that they must be prescribed.

Drops to treat infection

Your ophthalmologist may prescribe these drops if you have an infection that can be treated by a certain medication. All "red" or "pink" eyes do not necessarily mean that you have an infection. No single medicine is effective against all types of infection. Some forms of infections cannot be treated with any available drop. You should notice improvement in your condition within several days. If your condition becomes worse while you are using the drop, call your ophthalmologist.

Drops to treat glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease of the pressure in the eye causing damage to the optic nerve. Because glaucoma can damage your sight permanantly, eye drops are used to decrease the fluid pressure within the eye. Some glaucoma medications prevent too much fluid from forming inside the eye. Others increase the drainage of fluid out of the eye. You put glaucoma drops in your eyes, but these medications can also affect the rest of your body. Because the medicine can keep you from losing your sight, you may have to tolerate the side effects.

Watching for side effects

Different glaucoma eye drops have different side effects. These include:

	Blurred vision
	Headache
	Retinal detachment (Retinal detachment is rare. If you notice dark floating spots or flashing lights in your vision, call your ophthalmologist immediately.)
	Breathing problems for those with asthma or emphysema
	Slow or irregular heartbeat
	Depression
	Sexual Problems
	Rapid or irregular heartbeat
	High blood pressure
	Eye itching, redness, dryness, or irritation

If you experience any of these side effects, talk with your ophthalmologist. Tell your other doctors if you are taking eye drops for glaucoma.

How to insert eye drops

Putting drops in your eye may seem difficult at first but becomes easier with practice.

	1) Tilt your head back.
	2) Pull your lower lid away from the eye to form a "pocket" by
	3) Let the drop fall into the pocket without touching your eye or eyelid (to prevent contamination of the bottle).
	4) Close your eyes (do not blink) keep them closed for five minutes. Before opening your eyes, wipe unabsorbed drops and tears from the closed lids with a tissue. Then open your eyes.

If you need to take more than one kind of eye medication at the same time, wait three to five minutes before using the second drops.

West Texas Eye Associates
Tim Khater, M.D., Ph.D.

Lubbock's Eyecare Center for Excellence

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Last updated January 11, 2009 .
This page designed and created by Tim Khater, M.D., Ph.D.. (yes, the doctor really created the web page, ...without any help from his kids...)

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