Have you ever had an eye exam and had the doctor put a drop in your eye and tell you to wait a while until your eyelid dilates? Or have you ever been told to use a drop as a treatment for an eye condition? Atropine is often used in this way. So today, let's talk about this in a little more detail, very simply.
What exactly is Atropine?
Simply put, atropine is an eye drop. It has two main functions:
1. Dilating the pupil: Our eye is like a camera. The pupil is like the lens of the camera. When the doctor wants to examine the nerves and blood vessels inside the eye, he needs to dilate the pupil. It's like opening a window wide to see what's inside a room. That's what atropine does.
2. Relaxing the eye muscles: In some eye conditions (for example, inflammations such as uveitis), the muscles inside the eye become painfully tight. This medicine relaxes those muscles, reducing pain and helping the eye heal.
Also, this medicine is sometimes used to treat conditions such as "lazy eye" (Amblyopia) in children.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Before you are prescribed atropine, be sure to tell your doctor the following information. Do not hide this information, as it is very important for your safety.
- If you have glaucoma: Glaucoma is a disease in which the pressure inside the eye increases. Because atropine dilates the pupil, it can increase eye pressure in people with some types of glaucoma. Therefore, it is important to inform your doctor about this.
- If you have other allergies: Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to atropine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: Talk to your doctor about this too.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: You definitely need to talk about this too.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the full benefit of the medicine, it is very important to use it correctly. Let's see how.
1. Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine.
2. Tilt your head back: While sitting in a chair or lying down in bed, tilt your head back slightly and look up.
3. Pull down the lower eyelid: Gently pull down the lower eyelid with your index finger to form a pouch.
4. Apply the medicine drops: Put the number of drops of medicine prescribed by the doctor into the prepared bag. The most important thing is to never let the tip of the medicine bottle (dropper) touch your eye, eyelid, or hand. Doing so can introduce germs into the bottle.
5. Keep your eyes closed: After applying the medicine, try not to close your eyes for about 30 seconds. Then slowly close your eyes and let the medicine spread inside your eyes. Do not close your eyes tightly.
Important: This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with anyone else. Also, do not use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
When used on children?
This medicine requires special care when used in children, so follow the instructions given by your pediatrician.
What do you do if you forget to take your medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if the medicine is used too much?
If you accidentally take too much of this medicine, or if someone drinks it, go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What side effects can occur when using the medicine?
Like any medicine, atropine can cause some side effects. Some of these are serious, while others are common. It is important to be aware of these.
| Possible side effects of using Atropine | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Things to tell your doctor immediately | |
| Allergy symptoms | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | If you feel like you're having trouble breathing. |
| Anxiety | Feeling like your blood pressure is low, your eyes are turning blue and feeling like they are going to fall out. |
| 🙂 Usually there is nothing to worry about, but if it persists, there are things you should tell your doctor. | |
| Eye problems | Eye redness, inflammation, itching, or swelling of the eyelid. |
| Sensitivity to light | Difficulty focusing eyes on sunlight and bright light. |
If you notice anything unusual that is not on this list, talk to your doctor about it as well.
Other things to be careful about when using
- Blurred vision: Your vision may be slightly blurred for a few hours or even a few days after using this medicine. This is especially noticeable when looking at close objects. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until your vision returns to normal.
- Be careful with bright light: Because the pupil is enlarged, more light enters the eye. This can cause the eyes to appear blue. Wear good sunglasses when going outside.
- Other eye drops: If you are using other eye drops, ask your doctor before using atropine. Putting two medications together can affect how they work.
Take-Home Message
- Atropine is a medicine used to examine the eyes and treat certain eye diseases.
- If you have glaucoma or other allergies, be sure to tell your doctor before using the medicine.
- When applying the medicine to your eyes, be careful not to let the tip of the bottle touch your eyes. Wash your hands thoroughly.
- As the medicine may cause blurred vision, avoid driving until your vision clears. Wear sunglasses when going outside.
- If you experience any severe side effects, such as allergic symptoms or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
- Store this medicine out of the reach of children and young children, at room temperature (between 8-27 degrees C). Throw away after the expiration date.
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