Do you sometimes wake up in the morning with red eyes, itchy all day, and just feel like something is stuck in your eyes? If this condition worsens, especially when you go to a dusty place, walk in a flower garden, or play with a pet dog or cat at home, it could be an eye allergy. So, in times like these, doctors often recommend eye drops that are easily available at pharmacies, which contain two ingredients: Naphazoline and Pheniramine. Let's talk about this in detail today.
What is this medicine? What does it actually do?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. It addresses two annoying symptoms that occur in your eyes.
1. Pheniramine: This is an antihistamine . When we have an allergy, our body produces a chemical called 'histamine'. This histamine is what causes things like itching and swelling. So this medicine stops the action of that histamine. That is, it stops the annoying itching in your eyes.
2. Naphazoline: This is a type of decongestant . During an allergy, the tiny blood vessels inside the eye dilate, which means they become larger. That's when the eyes appear red. This medicine temporarily constricts those blood vessels, which means they narrow. That reduces the redness in the eyes.
This medicine is mainly used to relieve itching and redness of the eyes caused by things like pollen, grass, dust, and animal dander. In Sri Lanka, this medicine can be found under various brand names such as Naphcon-A, Opcon-A, and Visine-A.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Although this medicine can be purchased at the pharmacy, if you have any medical conditions, it is very important to talk to a doctor before using it, as the ingredients in this medicine may interact with some medical conditions.
The most important thing is to inform your doctor about your complete health condition so that he can provide you with the most appropriate and safest treatment.
If you have any of the following conditions, tell your doctor before using these eye drops.
| Your health condition | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma | This medicine can affect eye pressure, which may worsen glaucoma. |
| Heart Disease | The Naphazoline ingredient in the medicine can affect the heartbeat if absorbed into the body. |
| High Blood Pressure | This constricts blood vessels, which can further increase blood pressure. |
| Prostate Disease | The ingredients in the medicine may increase difficulty urinating. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Since the possible effects on the fetus are uncertain, it is essential to seek medical advice. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | Ask your doctor to confirm whether the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How do you use these eye drops correctly?
To get the full benefit of the medicine, it is very important to use it correctly. It's very simple, just follow these steps.
1. Cleanliness first: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine to your eyes.
2. Remove contact lenses: If you wear contact lenses, remove them and set them aside before applying the medication. You can put them back in about 15 minutes after applying the medication.
3. Shake the bottle: Shake the medicine bottle well before use.
4. Correct posture: Sit in a chair or lie down in bed with your head tilted back slightly. With your index finger, gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a small pouch.
5. Applying the drops: Without letting the dropper touch your eyes, fingers, or any other surface, apply the number of drops prescribed by the doctor into the prepared bag.
6. Allow it to spread: After applying the medicine, close your eyes slowly and wait for a while. Do not close your eyes tightly. If you slowly roll your eyes inside the eye, the medicine will spread better.
If you use this for children...
This medicine can be used even by children over 6 years of age. But it should only be used under the advice of a pediatrician. Do not give more than the dosage prescribed by the doctor.
What if the medicine is used too much?
If you or a young child in your home accidentally takes too much of this medicine, or drinks it, do not panic and immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, this one can cause minor side effects in some people. But there's nothing to worry about. Most of these are not serious. But there are some things we need to be careful about.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue or face. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, seeing things in two. |
| Eye pain | Severe pain in the eye after applying the medicine. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Mild eye irritation/itching | A slight burning or itching that occurs immediately after applying the medicine and does not go away after a while. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor immediately.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is only used to treat redness and itching of the eyes caused by allergies. It is not suitable for bacterial or viral infections.
- If you have other medical conditions such as glaucoma, high blood pressure, or heart disease, be sure to consult a doctor before using this medicine.
- Do not let the dropper touch your eyes, fingers, or anywhere else. Doing so can introduce germs into the bottle.
- If symptoms do not improve after three days (72 hours) of use or if the condition worsens, discontinue use and consult a doctor.
- This medicine is for you only . Never give your eye drops to family or friends.
- Once the medicine bottle is opened, use it within the time specified on the bottle and discard the rest.
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