Have you ever had your eyes checked? You may have had the experience of having your eyes examined by a doctor, who put some medicine in your eyes, and after a while your vision became a little blurry, making it difficult to go out. Many people get a little nervous at this time. So, today we are going to talk about a special medicine that is used in such cases. Its name is a combination of two medicines called Cyclopentolate and Phenylephrine.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, these eye drops enlarge the black part of your eye, the pupil. Imagine that you can see better inside a small room when you open the door completely than when you open it slightly. In the same way, this helps the doctor to clearly examine the nerves and blood vessels at the back of your eye.
This medicine is usually only used during eye exams. Doctors may also prescribe it for other purposes. If you have any questions about it, ask your doctor.
Things you should tell your doctor before prescribing medication
This medicine is not suitable for everyone, so it is very important to clearly explain the following information to your doctor.
| Tell your doctor if you have these conditions. | Why is that? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma | This medicine may cause further increase in eye pressure. |
| Heart disease or high blood pressure | The ingredients in the medicine may affect blood pressure and heart rate. |
| Thyroid disease | The effectiveness of the medication may interfere with thyroid hormone levels. |
| Down's Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy | People with these conditions may be more sensitive to this medicine. |
| If you wear contact lenses | Contact lenses should be removed before instillation. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | You should talk to your doctor about how the medication will affect your child. |
| If you have allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | You should be aware of the possibility of an allergy to this medicine or its ingredients. |
How exactly do you use these eye drops?
This medicine should only be applied to the eye. Do not take it by mouth for any reason. Use it exactly as your doctor tells you.
1. Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine.
2. Prepare: Tilt your head back slightly and gently pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger. This will create a small pouch.
3. Apply the medicine: Put one drop of medicine into the prepared bag. Do not let the tip of the medicine bottle touch your eyes or anywhere on your body.
4. Close your eyes: After applying the medicine, close your eyes and gently press your finger on the inside corner between your eye and nose for about 2-3 minutes. This will prevent the medicine from going down your throat.
5. Follow the instructions: If the doctor tells you to put another drop in 5 or 10 minutes, do so.
The most important thing is, this medicine is for you only. Never let anyone else use your medicine.
If you use it for small children...
Although this medicine can be used on young children and infants, special care is required. After giving the medicine to the child, wash both your hands and the child's hands thoroughly. If you give the medicine to an infant, avoid breastfeeding for the next 4 hours. Also, observe the child's behavior for 30 minutes after giving the medicine.
Things to be careful about when using medicine
- Blurred vision: This medicine may cause blurred vision for a few hours, possibly up to a day. Therefore , do not drive or operate machinery until your vision clears up again.
- Light Sensitivity: The eyes become very sensitive to light. Not only to the sun, but also to house lights. Therefore , it is very good to use a pair of sunglasses.
- Contact Lenses: If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying the medication. Ask your doctor before putting them back in.
- If there is a problem: If your blurred vision does not improve after a day, or if your eyes become red, painful, burning, or watery, see your doctor immediately.
What if the dose is increased or forgotten?
If more medicine than intended gets into the eye or if someone accidentally drinks it, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU). Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But 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 to make up for a forgotten dose.
What are the possible side effects?
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Changes in behavior or mood | Restlessness and hallucinations, especially in children. |
| Heartbeat | Abnormally fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Eye problems | Swelling, pain, redness, or infection of the eyes or eyelids. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Blurred vision | This is to be expected, but if it lasts more than a day, tell your doctor . |
| Being sensitive to the outside | This may continue until the eyes recover. |
| Temporary inflammation | A slight burning or itching sensation immediately after applying the medicine to the eye. |
Can there be problems with other medications? (Interactions)
Yes, it is possible. If you are taking medication for other conditions, these eye drops may interact with those medications. Especially:
- Medications for depression or anxiety
- MAOI type medication
- Blood pressure medication
- Other eye medications such as atropine and pilocarpine
This list is not complete. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements).
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is mainly used for eye examinations. Do not use it for any other purpose without the advice of a doctor.
- Before prescribing the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications you are taking.
- Avoid driving and wear sunglasses after applying the medication, as vision may be blurred and sensitive to light.
- Be very careful when using this medicine on young children and infants. Especially follow the instructions regarding breastfeeding.
- If you experience any severe side effects such as eye swelling, pain, or increased heart rate, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
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