INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF ATROPINE DROPS

Reasons for use:

1. To improve vision in amblyopia treatment.

· Atropine blurs near-vision in the good eye, encouraging the use of the ‘weaker’ eye.

· Atropine is a substitute for ‘patching’ (occlusion of the ‘good’ eye) and may be as effective

2. To improve compliance with spectacle wear in children who are longsighted.

3. To ensure complete relaxation of near-focusing (cycloplegia) for measurement of any focusing error and accurate prescription of spectacles.

Instructions:

1. Ensure the drops are kept in a safe, cool place away from children.

2. Instil one drop every day into EACH / RIGHT / LEFT eye as instructed by your ophthalmologist or orthoptist. If your child is frightened, try giving the drop before he/she wakes up.

3. Be careful to wash your hands after administering the eye drop in order to prevent getting the drops in your own eyes.

4. The pupils of the treated eye(s) will become very large. This means there is much more light entering the eye(s) which will make the eye(s) much more light sensitive than normal. If this is a problem try sunglasses or a peaked cap.

5. The drops are very long acting and can take up to 7 to 10 days to wear off completely. Don’t be alarmed if the pupils take a long time to come back to normal.

6. The drops will make vision blurry - especially for near.

7. Use the drops daily for the length of time specified by your ophthalmologist / orthoptist - it may be days, weeks or months depending on the reason for use.

8. As with all medicines, atropine may occasionally cause adverse reactions. If you notice any of the following signs/symptoms, STOP using the drops and notify your specialist:

- redness, swelling or irritation around the eye

- stomach upset

- fever, flushing, restlessness

- night terrors

- hallucination

If you have any questions or queries about using the atropine eye drops, please contact your Eye Clinic staff.