Eye drop

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Eye drops
)
For the television show, see Eye Drops.
See also: Ophthalmic drug administration
Eye drops being applied
These eye drops are packaged for single use, without preservatives

Eye drops or eyedrops are

antifungals, or topical anesthetics
.

Eye drops have less of a risk of side effects than do oral medicines, and such risk can be minimized by occluding the lacrimal punctum (i.e. pressing on the inner corner of the eye) for a short while after instilling drops.

Prior to the development of single-use pre-loaded sterile plastic applicators, eye drops were administered using an eye dropper, a glass pipette with a rubber bulb.

Shelf life

Although most bottles of eye drops contain preservatives to inhibit contamination once opened, these will not prevent contamination indefinitely. Ophthalmologists recommend keeping bottles for no longer than three months after opening.[1] Eye drops that contain no preservatives are usually packaged in single-use tubes. Dispensers typically oversize the drops; the human eye can only handle about 25 microlitres.[2]

Types and uses

Different pharmacological classes of eye drops can be recognized by patients by their different colored tops. For instance, the tops to dilating drops are a different color than anti-allergy drops.

Dry eyes

Eyes drops sometimes do not have medications in them and are only lubricating and tear-replacing solutions. There is a wide variety of

hypotonicity, high viscosity gels and ointments, and non-preserved types. They all act differently and therefore, one may have to try different artificial tears to find the one that works the best.[3]

Steroid and antibiotic eye drops

Steroid and antibiotic eye drops are used to treat eye

prophylactic properties and are used to prevent infections after eye surgeries. They should be used for the entire time prescribed without interruptions. The infection may relapse if the use of the medication is stopped.[4]

Pink eye

Antibiotic eye drops are prescribed when infection conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria but not when it is caused by a virus. In the case of allergic conjunctivitis, artificial tears can help dilute irritating allergens present in the tear film.[5]

Allergies

Some eye drops may contain

histamine antagonists or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAIDs), which suppress the optical mast cell responses to allergens including (but not limited to) aerosolized dust particles.

Glaucoma

Eye drops used in managing

carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. There are also combination drugs available for those patients who require more than one type of medication.[6]

Mydriatic eye drops

These make the eye's

mydriatic
has worn off.

In some countries including Russia and Italy, Tropicamide, a mydriatic eye drop, is used to some degree as an inexpensive recreational drug.[7] Like other anticholinergics, when taken recreationally, tropicamide acts as a deliriant. When injected intravenously, as is most often the case, the tropicamide may cause problems such as slurred speech, unconsciousness, unresponsiveness, hallucinations, kidney pain, dysphoria, hyperthermia, tremors, suicidal tendency, convulsions, psychomotor agitation, tachycardia and headache.[7]

Injectable medication

Syringe designed saline drops (e.g. Wallace Cameron Ultra Saline Minipod) are distributed in modern

needle-exchange programmes as they can be used efficiently either by injection or ophthalmic (if the drug is potent in small doses) route of administer which is compared to intravenous use; by demonstration, the elimination of latanoprost acid from plasma is rapid (half-life 17 minutes) after either ophthalmic or intravenous administration.[8]

Side effects

Man applying eye drops

Steroid and antibiotic eye drops may cause stinging for one or two minutes when first used and if stinging continues, medical advice should be sought. Also, one should tell their doctor if vision changes occur or if they experience persistent

swelling, dizziness, and trouble breathing.[4] Long term steroid use can cause many adverse effects including steroid-induced glaucoma and cataract.[9]

Prostaglandin analogs may cause changes in

dry mouth and nose, and also they have a higher likelihood of allergic reaction. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may cause stinging, burning, and eye discomfort.[10]

Lubricant eye drops may cause some side effects and one should consult a doctor if pain in the eye or changes in vision occur. Furthermore, when redness occurs but lasts more than 3 days, one should immediately consult a doctor.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Shelf-life of Eye Drops". American Academy of Ophthalmology. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  2. ^ Allen, Marshall (18 October 2017). "Drug Companies Make Eyedrops Too Big, And You Pay For The Waste". NPR. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  3. ^ Jayden, Wills (1 July 2010). "New breakthrough product to help put eye drops in". www.eyedrophelper.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Generic Name: Steroid and Antibiotic Eye Drops". Retrieved 2010-05-03.
  5. ^ "Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Treatments". Retrieved 2010-05-03.
  6. ^ "Glaucoma Medications and Their Side Effects". Archived from the original on 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
  7. ^
    PMID 23706777
    .
  8. ^ "Latanoprost Drug Information, Professional". Drugs.com. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  9. ^ Feroze, Kaberi B.; Khazaeni, Leila (2021). "Steroid Induced Glaucoma". StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
  10. ^ "Side Effects". Archived from the original on 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2010-05-03.

External links

  • The dictionary definition of eye drop at Wiktionary
  • Media related to Eye drops at Wikimedia Commons
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