Cyclosporine eye solution: Is it the best solution for dry eyes?

Do you sometimes feel like your eyes are dry, like there is no tears in them, like there is sand in them? Do your eyes become red, itchy, and sometimes your vision is a little blurry? If this condition persists, it can be very annoying. In medical terms, we call this dry eye disease. So, a special medicine that your doctor prescribes for this is called Cyclosporine. Today, we will talk about this medicine, how to use it, and what you need to be careful about, in a simple way that you can understand.

What kind of medicine is this? Simply put...

Cyclosporine is a liquid medicine that is applied to the eyes, that is, an eye solution. Its main function is to increase the amount of tears produced in your eyes. Tears are essential to keeping our eyes healthy. Tears clean the eyes, retain moisture, and protect them from infections. So, in a person with dry eye disease, the production of these tears is reduced. Cyclosporine is used to control certain inflammatory conditions in the eyes and help the natural tear production process. This medicine can come under different brand names in Sri Lanka. Cequa and Vevye are two internationally famous brands. The name of the medicine that your doctor prescribes may vary, but the main drug it contains is cyclosporine.

Things to tell your doctor before using the medicine

Before your doctor prescribes this medication, he or she will need to know your complete health history. Therefore, be sure to discuss these matters with your doctor without hiding anything.

• If you wear contact lenses : Contact lens wearers need to follow special instructions when using this medication. So, if you wear lenses , tell your doctor first.
• About your allergies : Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to cyclosporine or any other medicine, food, or dye. Sometimes you may be allergic to another ingredient in the medicine.
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant: Any medication should be used with extreme caution during pregnancy , so it is essential to inform your doctor about this.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: Some medicationsIt can pass to the baby through breast milk , so don't forget to tell your doctor about this too.

Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not, and how it should be used.

How exactly do I use this medicine?

While putting eye drops in your eyes may seem a little difficult to some, it is actually quite easy if done properly. Here are the steps to follow. 1. Wash your hands thoroughly: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after applying the medicine. This will help prevent germs from getting into your eyes. 2. Prepare: Sit in a chair or lie down on a bed and tilt your head back slightly. 3. Pull down your lower eyelid: Use your index finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid. This will create a small pouch-like space. 4. Apply the drops: Hold the dropper in your other hand and make sure that the tip of the dropper does not touch your eye, fingers, or anywhere else . Doing so can introduce germs into the dropper. Now, put the number of drops your doctor told you to put into the pouch-like space you created. 5. Close your eyes: After applying the medicine, close your eyes tightly for about 30 seconds. Do not squeeze your eyes shut, close them normally. It is even better if you can press the inner corner of your eye (on the nose side) with your finger at this time. This will reduce the chance of the medicine going down your throat. 6. Wipe away excess medicine: Wipe away any excess medicine that has gotten around your eyes with a clean tissue.

Should this medicine be given to small children?

Special care is needed when giving this medicine to children. Talk to your doctor about it and follow his/her instructions exactly.

What to do if you overdose on medication?

If you accidentally get more medicine than you think, or if a small child drinks it, don't panic. Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. You can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

What if I forget to take my medicine?

If you miss 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 your next dose on time. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Be careful of these things when using the medicine.

You need to take a little more care of your eyes while using this medicine.

• See your doctor on time: Be sure to go back to your doctor on the day your appointment is scheduled. This is important to see how well the medication is working for you.
• If you have an eye injury: If you have an eye injury, need eye surgery, or develop an eye infection, call your doctor immediately and ask if you should continue using this medication.
• If you wear contact lenses : If you wear contact lenses , you should remove them when applying the medication. Wait at least 15 minutes after applying the medication before putting them back in.
• If you are using other eye drops ( artificial tears ): If you are using other eye drops, such as artificial tears , to dry your eyes, use them at least 15 minutes before or after applying cyclosporine . Applying two medications together can interfere with the effectiveness of one medication.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like any medicine, cyclosporine can cause side effects in some people. But not everyone gets them. Some are serious, and some are common. Let's take a look at what they are.

Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately: These are usually not serious, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor.

Nature of the side effect	Description
Serious Allergic Reactions	If you experience sudden symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, it could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. Seek medical attention immediately.
Worsening of eye condition	If you experience new or more severe eye pain, redness, burning, or discharge after taking the medication, tell your doctor.
Blurred vision	Immediately after applying the medicine to your eyes, your vision may temporarily become slightly blurred. This usually goes away after a while. But if it persists, tell your doctor .
Minor eye irritation or itching	You may experience some mild burning, itching, or discomfort in your eye at first. This usually subsides within a few days. However, if it is bothersome or persists, talk to your doctor.

This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, please ask your doctor about it.

How should I store the medicine?

The quality of a medicine depends on how it is stored properly.

• Keep away from children and pets.
• Store at normal room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and light.
• Do not store in the fridge.
• Do not use if expired. Throw away the medicine if it has passed the expiration date on the bottle.

How do I dispose of expired or unwanted medication?

It's not always a good idea to just throw unwanted medicine in the trash or flush it down the toilet. It's best to ask your doctor about this. Sometimes, if the label says it's okay to throw it in the trash, you can take the medicine out of the bottle, mix it with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, and put it in a tightly sealed bag and throw it in the trash. This can help prevent someone or an animal from using it.

Take-Home Message

• Cyclosporine is an eye solution that treats dry eye disease and increases tear production.
• This medicine should only be used on the recommendation of a doctor.
• Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about any allergies you have, pregnancy , and other medications you are taking.
• Remove contact lenses before applying the medication. Wait at least 15 minutes after applying the medication before putting them back in.
• If you experience severe eye pain, swelling, or severe allergic symptoms , see your doctor immediately.
• If you have any questions about this medicine, never be afraid to ask your doctor.

Cyclosporine, dry eye disease, eye drops, eye medication, Cequa, Vevye