Should we know about the type of eye drops that dilate the eyes before an eye exam? (Hydroxyamphetamine; Tropicamide)

Have you ever gone to a doctor to get your eyes checked? You probably remember that before the eye exam, they put a little drop in your eye. Your eyes get a little blurry, and you have a hard time looking at the sun, right? The doctor does that to see what's inside your eye clearly. Today, we're going to talk about a special type of eye drop that's used for just that.

What kind of medicine is this?

Simply put, this is a medicine that dilates the pupil of your eye, the part we call the pupil . This medicine contains two main drugs. These are hydroxyamphetamine and tropicamide. These two work together to temporarily relax the muscles inside the eye.

Think about it, it's better to look inside a room when you open the door completely than to look through a small keyhole. That's how it is. When the black eye is enlarged, the doctor can clearly see the nerves , blood vessels, and retina inside your eye, and find out if there is any problem. This medicine is usually sold under the brand name ``Paremyd``.

Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine

Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will ask you about your health. However, you should definitely inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• Diabetes : If you have diabetes, tell us about it.
• Glaucoma: If you have glaucoma, a condition related to eye pressure.
• Heart disease : Any type of heart disease or problem with the functioning of the heart.
• High blood pressure : If you have high blood pressure.
• Irregular heartbeat: If you have an irregular heartbeat.
• Thyroid disease: If you have problems with thyroid hormones.
• Allergies:Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother.

How do you use this medicine?

Most of the time, this medicine is given to you by a doctor or a nursing staff member, either at the hospital or clinic. This is a type of eye drop that is used only in the eyes.

If you suddenly have to use this medicine at home, you should follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

1. First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap .

2. Shake the medicine bottle well before using.

3. Tilt your head back slightly and gently pull down the lower eyelid with your index finger. This will create a small pouch.

4. Be careful not to let the tip of the medicine bottle touch your eyes, fingertips, or anywhere else. Doing so can transfer germs to the bottle.

5. Put the number of drops the doctor prescribed into the bag made from the eyelid.

6. Then slowly close your eyes and wait for a while. This will allow the medicine to spread throughout the eye.

7. Wash your hands thoroughly again after applying the medicine.

What to do if you overdose on medication? (Overdose)

This is not a common occurrence, as this medicine is administered under medical supervision. However, if you think you have accidentally put too much medicine in your eye while using it at home, you should immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

Things to keep in mind when using the medicine

There are several things you need to pay attention to for your safety when using this medicine.

• Blurred vision and sensitivity to light: After using this medicine, your vision may be blurred for a few hours. You may also have difficulty focusing your eyes on bright light (photosensitivity). This is normal. Therefore, it is important to wear good sunglasses . This can help reduce eye strain.
• Avoid driving: Since your vision may be blurred, do not drive or operate machinery until the effects of this medicine wear off.
• Dizziness and drowsiness:Some people may feel a little drowsy or dizzy. Especially if you are an elderly person, stand up slowly when you get up from a sitting position or out of bed. This will reduce the chance of dizziness and falling.
• Contact Lenses: If you wear contact lenses, you should remove them before applying the medication. Ask your doctor how soon after applying the medication you can wear them again.
• Dry mouth: Sometimes you may feel like your mouth is dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking on unsweetened candy, and drinking plenty of water can help. If this problem persists, tell your doctor.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. But not everyone does. Let's take a look at what these side effects are.

This list does not include all side effects. If you experience anything different, talk to your doctor about it.

How do you keep the medicine bottle safe?

If you are allowed to take this medicine home, you must keep it safe.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and light.
• If the expiration date on the bottle has passed, do not use the medicine.

When disposing of expired or unwanted medications, it is important to do so in an environmentally friendly manner. You can ask your doctor for advice. The usual way to dispose of medications is to remove them from the bottle, mix them with something like used tea leaves or coffee grounds, put them in a tightly sealed bag, and throw them in the trash.