Eye drops can be very helpful in treating diseases or relieving eye discomfort. But it's important to remember that all medicines can have side effects. Medicines can cure illness but can sometimes cause problems as well.
Many eye diseases can be treated with eye drops. Most of the medication stays near the eyes and only a small amount flows into the rest of the body, so there is less risk of side effects than with oral medicines.
Some side effects of eye drops are local, meaning they affect just the eyes and not the whole body. Yet like any 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:
- 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.
- 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.
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 side effects in order to treat the condition.
Allergies
Be 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.
Allergic reactions to eye drops often cause itching, swelling and a 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 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.
- 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 at home can harm the surface of the eye that could lead to an infection or serious scarring.
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 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 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 allergies.
Decongestant drops 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 you use these drops often, your eyes may actually become more red and irritated when the drops are stopped.
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.
Whenever corticosteroids are used, they may reduce your eye's ability to fight infection and to repair injury. Using them over time can lead to glaucoma or 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. The generic names of common corticosteroids are:
- Prednisolone
- Dexamethasone
- Hydrocortisone
- Fluoromethalone
- Medrysone
- Vexol
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 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 an eye disease, often related to high pressure inside the eye, which leads to optic nerve damage. Because glaucoma can damage your sight, eye drops are used to decrease the fluid pressure within the eye.
Glaucoma medications reduce the fluid pressure in the eye either by trying to decrease the amount of fluid forming in the eye or by trying to increase the eye's ability to drain off the fluids. These fluids are inside the eye and are not tears.
You put glaucoma drops in your eyes, but the medications 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.
Miotics (pilocarpine, carbocaine)
They may cause:
- 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.
Beta-blockers (Timoptic, Betoptic, Betagan, Ocupress, timolol, and others)
- Breathing problems for those with asthma or emphysema
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Depression or change in sex drive (impotence)
Many new drops are becoming available. As with any medications, each may cause eye allergies or irritation, low or high blood pressure or drowsiness. 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.
- Tilt your head back.
- Pull your lower lid away from the eye to form a "pocket" by:
- pulling lower lid down with index finger, or
- pinching lid outward with thumb and index finger.
- Let the drop fall into the pocket without touching your eye or eyelid (to prevent contamination of the bottle).
- Close your eyes (do not blink) and apply pressure to the point where the lids meet the nose. Hold for two to three minutes.
- Before opening your eyes-and this is very important-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.
Reference: American Academy of Ophthalmology