Angeles Vision Clinic
The web site has detailed information on many other eye conditions. Please feel free to visit our Home Page or check out other eye conditions on our Eye Conditions page or Glaucoma Page.
PILOCARPINE
CONCENTRATIONS:
.5% 1% 2% 3% 4% 4 % OintmentDIRECTIONS:
Proper eye drop insertion Once the drops are in, lie back with your eyes closed for at least three minutes. Using your thumb and first finger, lightly push in on your nose where the two eye lids come together (see instructions on back). This will give you the maximum effect on your eyes with minimum side effects.
Ointments: Instill about a 1/4 inch ribbon into the inside of the lower eyelid.
HOW THEY WORK.
Glaucoma is an eye disease where the eye pressure is too high for the eye nerve (optic nerve) to function. There are two ways to lower eye pressure: either slow the rate of fluid produced inside of the eye (turn down the faucet) or, increase the rate fluid leaves the eye (open the drain). Pilocarpine eye drops function by increasing the rate fluid exits the eye. They do this by encouraging the small muscles inside your eye to work harder. This stimulates the muscles which pull on the drainage channels that help fluid leave the eye quicker, thus decreasing the pressure inside the eye.
ADVERSE REACTIONS:
Localized side effects, most commonly brow ache, focusing spasm and dimmed vision secondary to small pupils are common. Caution should be used driving at night. Most of these are transient and largely dissipate in a week or two.
Systemic side effects such as: salivation, abdominal cramps, and bronchospasm are rare. Like local side effects, most dissipate within the first week or two.
HINTS:
Try to space the eye drops 6 hours apart, morning, lunch, dinner, bedtime if four times a day is required.
After instillation, close eyes gently and apply pressure over your tear ducts for three min.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding:
There is no evidence of risk to a baby during pregnancy at the doses used for chronic glaucoma. The drug is known to pass into breast milk but adverse effects are unlikely. However, their use should still be discussed with your eye care doctor.
