Ellen Campbell -Grizzle - PHARMACY TODAY THERE WAS a time when eye drops were packaged in dark ribbed bottles. The patient with reduced vision would feel the indentations for assurance that the bottle contained eye drops. Today, most eye drops are dispensed in small plastic bottles that are indistinguishable from ear and nose drops. In most pharmacies, as a security feature, drops are carefully stored in separate slots based on intended use to reduce the risk of dispensing errors. There have been a few cases in which ear drops and skin ointments have been mistakenly dispensed for use in the eyes.
Eye drops are made under sterile conditions. Active ingredients and preservatives are placed into a sterile liquid. These preservatives are very important because they maintain the sterility of eye preparations after the bottle is opened. This precaution prevents instillation of contaminated drugs into the eyes and maintains the strength of active ingredients. Contaminated eye drops can introduce an organism called Pseudomonas aeruginosa and this germ has been known to destroy eyes in 48 hours. The dropper is calibrated to make sure that each drop delivers the right dose. These formulations are effective as long as patients follow instructions for using and storing eye drops very carefully. Advice for proper use of eye drops.
Wash your hands
Shake the bottle. Tilt your head backward and pull down the lower lid
Instil the right number of drops, without the dropper tip touching the eye
Blink several times and wipe off excess fluid that may be around the eye
Replace the dropper into the bottle and close
Keep away from heat or store in a cool place
Discard the eye drop one month after the date of first opening or at expiry.
An eye problem is potentially vision -threatening. Pharmacists know that non- prescription medications can be safely used only when there is no serious pain, inflammation, bleeding, injury or major underlying disease. In Jamaica, most people seek self-medication for "red eyes" However, this can be an indication of a minor or a major eye or systemic problems. Also some people are allergic to specific preservatives and develop "red eyes" because of this. If there is any doubt, you should follow the pharmacist's advice and see your doctor.
Many non- prescription eye drops contain decongestants and antihistamines that have proven safe over many years. However, persons with high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes and cardiac disorders should use these medicines with caution. There are also several other medicines that react with these drugs and eye medicines can affect other parts of the body because they are absorbed through the eyes and drain away. You should also know that frequent or prolonged use of decongestants leads to "rebound" in which the effect of the drug wears off rapidly. In these situations, patients become caught in a cycle and instil more solution into the eye but the condition worsens. Eye preparations are very effective when used and stored as recommended. They contain active ingredients with various side effects that require caution by patients who have some common chronic illnesses. Non-prescription eye drops are intended for short term use. As with all medicines, they should be stored out of the reach of children. Never share your eye drops with anyone and if you need more information about the safe use of eye drops, ask your pharmacist, you have the right to know!
Ellen Campbell Grizzle is the President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) and Director, Information & Research, Kingston, Jamaica.
