In the light of recognition, knowledge and developments in the treatment of eye diseases, developments in the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacokinetic and pharmacological analyzes, local (topical) drops used in the eye are developing and their diversity is increasing. There are eyedrops of both domestic and foreign origins that have entered the ophthalmology practice. Many problems related to the storage and usage of these eye drops (gout) prevent the recovery of the disease.

How to Use Eye Drops?

The dosage for use of an eye drop is specified in the prescription by the physician. However, it can be dripped more than once with the thought that its effectiveness may increase. The capacity of the pool called the adnexa, which is surrounded by the eye surface and lids, is approximately 1/3-1/5 of a drop. More than that overflows from the covers. When more than one drop is put in, the eye is irrigated with the reflex tear stimulus, apart from wastage, and the concentration of the drops decreases (dilution), thus decreasing their effectiveness. For this reason, no more than one drop should be put into the eye at a time. If double or triple different eyedrop use is required, it would be correct to drip these drugs into the same eye with an interval of at least 15 minutes. Just as tears leave the eye and are absorbed through the puncta (eyelid holes), the same is true for eyedrops. The effectiveness of the eyedrop can be increased by pressing the eyelid holes, that is, by preventing its absorption, thus allowing it to stay on the eye surface longer. But this is often not needed. Compression of the punctum after the application of eyedrop also slows down the passage of the drug to the nasal mucosa, thus reducing its passage into the general circulation. This may protect patients from systematic side effects.

How Should Eye Drops Be Stored?

While some eye drops can be kept at room temperature, in some cases they should be stored in the refrigerator at +4 degrees. Cataract and glaucoma (eye pressure / black water disease) may emerge in patients due to long-term use of cortisone (steroid)-containing drops. 

Image-1: Use essence eyedrops

For this reason, cortisone-containing drugs should be used under the supervision of a doctor, and it should not be forgotten that arbitrary use will cause very serious eye diseases.

What are the Side Effects of Using Eye Drops?

In the light of recognition, knowledge and developments in the treatment of eye diseases, developments in the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacokinetic and pharmacological analyzes, local (topical) drops used in the eye are developing and their diversity is increasing. There are eyedrops of both domestic and foreign origins that have entered the ophthalmology practice. Many problems related to the storage and usage of these eye drops (gout) prevent the recovery of the disease. The dosage for use of an eye drop is specified in the prescription by the physician. However, it can be dripped more than once with the thought that its effectiveness may increase. The capacity of the pool called the adnexa, which is surrounded by the eye surface and lids, is approximately 1/3-1/5 of a drop. More than that overflows from the covers. When more than one drop is put in, the eye is irrigated with the reflex tear stimulus, apart from wastage, and the concentration of the drops decreases (dilution), thus decreasing their effectiveness. For this reason, no more than one drop should be put into the eye at a time. If double or triple different eyedrop use is required, it would be correct to drip these drugs into the same eye with an interval of at least 15 minutes. Just as tears leave the eye and are absorbed through the puncta (eyelid holes), the same is true for eyedrops. The effectiveness of the eyedrop can be increased by pressing the eyelid holes, that is, by preventing its absorption, thus allowing it to stay on the eye surface longer. But this is often not needed. Compression of the punctum after the application of eyedrop also slows down the passage of the drug to the nasal mucosa, thus reducing its passage into the general circulation. This may protect patients from systematic side effects. While some eye drops can be kept at room temperature, in some cases they should be stored in the refrigerator at +4 degrees. Cataract and glaucoma (eye pressure / black water disease) may emerge in patients due to long-term use of cortisone (steroid)-containing drops. For this reason, cortisone-containing drugs should be used under the supervision of a doctor, and it should not be forgotten that arbitrary use will cause very serious eye diseases.

What are the Side Effects of Using Eye Drops?

Allergic conditions may occur due to all eye drops used. If unusual complaints started with the usage of eye drops, it should be considered that this may be a drug allergy, and the treatment should be interrupted and an ophthalmologist should be consulted as soon as possible. Antiglaucomatous (drugs that reduce intraocular pressure) eye drops used by patients with glaucoma have a strong potential for allergic effects. As it can cause a reaction in the conjunctiva, the eyedrop overflowing from the eyelids can also cause an allergic reaction on the lid skin, and even lead to significant lengthening of the eyelashes. Although these side effects require discontinuation of the drug, the ophthalmologist must decide which drug to start instead.
Some eye drops may also cause calcium deposits and drug residues in the cornea and conjunctiva. When these changes are noticed, an ophthalmologist should be examined. If cyclopilegia drops are used in children's refraction (refractive error, spectacle examination) examinations, the child may experience blurring of consciousness, inconsistent behavior changes, and mild fever in the future. In this case, the child should be given an antipyretic and take a bath with warm water. After this application, normalization will occur the next day. Local anesthetic eyedrops are used before removing foreign bodies in the cornea and conjunctiva. If patients use these eyedrops continuously, the repair of the damaged area in the cornea epithelium slows down, wound healing is delayed, and infection development becomes easier. Such eye drops should never be used continuously. Cyclopilegia eyedrops used in patients with anterior uveitis will reduce the patient's vision as they will dilate the pupil. Likewise, it should be known that distance vision will become blurred and near vision will deteriorate, since the pupil will remain large for 12-24 hours after the eye drops for retinal evaluation.