|
|
|
Eye Drops |
 |
1. Eye Drops Definition
Eye drops are suspension of drugs or a sterile solution. Eye drops are
indicated to produce a local effect directly on the eye.
Eye drops can be prescribed to treat many symptoms that affect the eyes, including:
- Burning;
- Discharge;
- Excessive watering;
- Infections;
- Itchiness;
- Redness.
Such symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions including:
- Allergies;
- Chronic dryness;
- Eye infections.
2. Classes of Eye Drops
2.1. Antihistamine eye drops.
Drugs that attach to histamine receptors, preventing the chemical histamine from triggering symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- Alergoftal;
- Allergo Comod;
- Azelastine (Optivar);
- Cromolux;
- Ketotifen (Zaditor);
- Patanol (Olopatadine);
- Emedastine (Emadine);
- Pheniramine (Opcon-A);
2.2. Decongestant eye drops.
Shrink blood vessels in the eyes that are swollen because of exposure to an allergen:
- Tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride (Visine, Murine Plus, Eyesine);
- Naphazoline hydrochloride (Albalon, Vasocon, Allerest);
2.3. Antihistamine/decongestant combination eye drops.
Antihistamines and decongestants combination:
- Visine-A;
- Opcon-A;
- Naphcon-A;
2.4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops.
Inhibit the body's ability to produce chemicals called prostaglandins, which are released during an allergic reaction.
- Acular (Ketorolac);
- Nepafenac (Nevanac);
- Sodium Sulamyd;
2.5. Corticosteroid eye drops.
Decreases inflammation during an allergic reaction by mimicking the behavior of cortisol, a hormone in the body that aids
proper body function during stressful situations:
- Flomex (Fluorometholone, FML);
- Loteflam (Loteprednol etabonate, Lotemax, Alrex);
- Pred Forte (Prednisone acetate, EconoPred);
2.6. Mast cell stabilizers (MCS) and MCS combination eye drops.
Strengthen the mast cells to prevent them from releasing histamine and other chemicals that contribute to the symptoms of an
allergic reaction:
- Azelastine (Astelin);
- Cromal (Cromolyn, Crolom);
- Emedastine (Emadine);
- Epina;
- Ketotifen (Zaditor);
- Lodoxamide (Alomide);
- Nedocromil (Alocril);
- Olopatadine hydrochloride (Patanol);
- Pemirolast (Alamast);
2.7. Artificial tears/saline solution/ointment eye drops.
Lubricate, dilute and wash away offending allergens:
- Vision White Petroleum Mineral Oil;
- Tears Renewed;
- Refresh;
- Liquifilm Tears;
- Adsorbotear;
2.8. Antibiotic eye drops.
Eye drops prescribed to treat bacterial infections:
- Brulamycin;
- Cipmox (Ciprofloxacin, Cipro, Ciplox);
- Erythromycin (Erycette, Akne-Mycin);
- Gentamicin (Garamycin, Genoptic, Cidomycin);
- Ocuflox (Ofloxacin, Floxin);
- Sulfacetamide (Sulfex, Cetamide);
- Tobrex (Tobramycin);
- Vigamox (Monofloxacin);
- Zymar (Gatafloxin);
2.9. Antiviral eye drops.
Eye drops prescribed to treat herpes eye infections:
- Trifluridine (Viroptic);
- Trifluorothymidine;
- Idoxuridine (Herplex Liquifilm);
- Adenine arabinoside (Vira-A);
2.10. Glaucoma eye drops.
Eye drops prescribed in the treatment of glaucoma:
- Allergan;
- Alphagan;
- Azopt;
- Betagan (Levobunolol, AKBeta);
- Betoptic (Betaxolol, Kerlone);
- Combigan
- Dorzox (Dorzolamide, Trusopt);
- Isopto;
- Lumigan;
- Latim (Latanoprost, Xalatan);
- Metipranolol (OptiPranolol);
- Timolol (Cosopt, Timoptic, Blocadren);
- Travatan;
- Pilagan (Pilocarpine, Pilocar, Carpine);
3. Conditions of concern with eye drops
Eye drops can be a great benefit to most who suffer from eye allergies. However, some patients have
conditions that should be weighed before a decision is made on treatment. A physician should be informed of the following:
- Breastfeeding;
- Contact lens use;
- Diabetes. Decongestants can worsen this condition;
- Difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate. Drugs containing antihistamines can aggravate this condition;
- Eye disease or injury. Problems that stem from these conditions may be confused with side effects of the drug ophthalmic
naphazoline;
- Glaucoma. Using antihistamines with decongestants can aggravate this condition;
- Heart disease. Using antihistamines with decongestants can aggravate some heart conditions;
- Hemophilia or other bleeding disorders. Anti-inflammatories can worsen these conditions;
- High blood pressure. Using antihistamines with decongestants can aggravate this condition;
- Drugs currently taken by the patient;
- Overactive thyroid. Drugs containing naphazoline can worsen this condition;
- Past allergic reactions to antihistamines, decongestants, aspirin and other drugs;
- Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant;
- Present bacterial infection of the eye, including pink eye (conjunctivitis);
4. Side effects of eye drops
Most side effects related to eye drop use are minor:
- Achy eyes;
- Blurry vision;
- Burning stinging eyes;
- Crusting in eyelids eyelashes or corner of eyes;
- Darkening of skin around eye lashes;
- Dilated pupils;
- Drowsiness;
- Eye dryness;
- Eye puffiness;
- Headaches;
- Lengthening or thickening of eye lashes;
- Nose dryness;
- Redness around eyes;
- Runny or stuffy nose;
- Sensation of foreign object in eyes;
- Taste of drops in throat;
- Tingling sensation in the eye;
- Watery eyes.
|
|
|
Brulamycin