Eye drops oreyedrops areliquid drops applied directly to the surface of theeye usually in small amounts such as a single drop or a few drops. Eye drops usually containsaline to match thesalinity of the eye. Drops containing only saline and sometimes a lubricant are often used as artificialtears to treatdry eyes or simpleeye irritation such as itching orredness. Eye drops may also contain one or more medications to treat a wide variety ofeye diseases. Depending on the condition being treated, they may containsteroids,antihistamines,sympathomimetics,beta receptor blockers,parasympathomimetics,parasympatholytics,prostaglandins,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),antibiotics,antifungals, ortopical anesthetics.
Eye drops have less of a risk of side effects than do oral medicines, and such risk can be minimized by occluding thelacrimal 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 aneye dropper, a glass pipette with a rubber bulb.
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]
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.
Eyes drops sometimes do not have medications in them and are only lubricating and tear-replacing solutions. There is a wide variety ofartificial tear eye drops that provide different surface healing strategies. One can find bicarbonate ions,hypotonicity, highviscosity 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 are used to treat eyeinfections. They also haveprophylactic 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]
Antibiotic eye drops are prescribed when infectionconjunctivitis 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]
Some eye drops may containhistamine antagonists ornonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), which suppress the optical mast cell responses to allergens including (but not limited to) aerosolized dust particles.
Eye drops used in managingglaucoma help the eye'sfluid to drain better and decrease the amount of fluid made by the eye which decreases eye pressure. They are classified by their active ingredient and they include:prostaglandin analogs,beta blockers, alpha agonists, andcarbonic anhydrase inhibitors. There are also combination drugs available for those patients who require more than one type of medication.[6]
These make the eye'spupil widen to maximum, to let anoptometrist have the best view inside theeyeball behind the iris. Afterwards in sunny weather they can cause dazzling andphotophobia until the effect of themydriatic has worn off.
In some countries includingRussia andItaly, 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]
Syringe designed saline drops (e.g. Wallace Cameron Ultra Saline Minipod) are distributed in modernneedle-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]
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 persistentsore throat,fever, easybleeding orbruising when using drops withchloramphenicol. Also, one should be aware of symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as:rash,itching,swelling,dizziness, and trouble breathing.[4] Long term steroid use can cause many adverse effects including steroid-inducedglaucoma andcataract.[9]
Prostaglandin analogs may cause changes iniris color andeyelid skin, growth ofeyelashes, stinging,blurred vision, eye redness, itching, and burning. Beta blockers' side effects includelow blood pressure, reducedpulse rate,fatigue, shortness of breath, and in rare occasions, reducedlibido anddepression. Alpha agonists can cause burning or stinging, fatigue,headache,drowsiness,dry mouth andnose, 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]
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