Cyclopentolate eye drops

About cyclopentolate eye drops

Cyclopentolate makes the pupil of your eye larger and relaxes the muscles in your eye. These things make it easier for your eye to be examined and your vision tested.

Cyclopentolate drops can also be prescribed during the treatment of a condition called anterior uveitis. This is a painful eye condition caused by inflammation within the eye. By making your pupil larger and relaxing the muscles in your eye, it reduces pain and allows the inflamed part of your eye to rest and recover.

Before using cyclopentolate eye drops

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you use the drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any eye drops.

• If you normally wear contact lenses.

• If you have been told you have a higher than normal pressure in your eye, or if you have glaucoma.

• If you have any problems with the way your heart works, such as a fast heart beat or heart failure.

• If you have epilepsy or you have certain problems with the way your nervous system works, such as ataxia or dementia.

• If you have an obstruction in your gastrointestinal tract or urinary tract.

• Om du har ett tillstånd som orsakar muskelsvaghet, kallat myasthenia gravis.

• Om du tar eller använder några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Om du är gravid eller ammar.

How to use cyclopentolate eye drops

Cyclopentolate eye drops will generally be administered for you but if you are asked to put the drops in yourself, then:

1. Tvätta händerna noggrant innan du använder dropparna.

2. Remove the cap (or twist off the tip of the unit if you are using a Minims® single-dose unit).

3. Tilt your head back a little and pull the lower lid of your eye out to form a pocket.

4. Håll flaskan (eller engångsdosen) upp och ner nära ditt öga. Försök att inte röra vid ditt öga när du gör detta.

5. Apply enough pressure to the container to release one drop into your eye. Only use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

6. Stäng ögat i en eller två minuter och tryck försiktigt på sidan av näsan där ögonvrån möter näsan. Detta hjälper till att förhindra att droppen rinner bort och håller den kvar i ögat.

7. Repeat the process in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes. (The contents of one single-dose Minims® are enough for both eyes.)

8. Byt ut locket (eller om du använder engångsdosenheten, släng det).
   

Få ut det mesta av din behandling

• Before you start using the eye drops, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about the drops and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from using them.

• Take care not to touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface with the dropper of the bottle. This could infect the liquid left in the bottle.

• Cyclopentolate will cause blurred vision which may last for some time. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive and before you use tools or machines.

• If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave about ten minutes between applying each one. This is to prevent more liquid going into your eye than it can handle. Otherwise the drops will overflow from your eye and may not have the intended effect.

• If you normally wear contact lenses, do not wear them again until your doctor advises you do so. There are two reasons for this - using cyclopentolate will mean you are not able to see clearly, and also bottles of eye drops contain a preservative which can affect soft contact lenses.

Can cyclopentolate eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with cyclopentolate eye drops. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your drops. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to a new medicine but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the eye drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store cyclopentolate eye drops

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Some brands of cyclopentolate eye drops should be stored in a fridge; others should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. Please check the label of the preparation you have been given for details.

• Eye drops only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened so throw away the bottle after this time, even if there is some solution left. Never keep opened bottles of eye drops to use later. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.

• Minims® contain one dose of cyclopentolate only. Do not store or re-use opened units to use at a later time.

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