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Drug Info:

Artificial Tears

Brand names: Hypotears®, Isopto® Tears, Lacril®, Liquifilm Tears®, Muro Tears®, Neotears®, Tearisol®, Visine Tears®



Artificial Tears eye solution

What is Artificial Tears eye solution?

ARTIFICIAL TEARS eye solution soothes irritation and discomfort that occurs with dry eyes. The temporary relief helps the eyes feel moist and refreshed. Artificial tear solutions are available from many different manufacturers.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

• change in vision or suspect an eye infection or eye trauma
• wear contact lenses
• an unusual reaction to artificial tears, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Artificial tears eye drops are only for use in the eye. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the label. Wash hands before and after use. Tilt the head back slightly and pull down the lower eyelid with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your eye, fingertips, or any other surface. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops (usually one or two drops) into the pouch. Close the eye gently for a few moments to allow the drops to be in contact with the eye. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Artificial Tears?

• no drug interactions with artificial tears have been reported

If you are using other eye drops of any type along with artificial tears, separate the application of the different eye drops by roughly 5 minutes. This ensures that the eye drops do not interfere with each other. If you are using both eye drops and an eye ointment, use the eye drops 10 minutes before the eye ointment so that the eye ointment does not interfere with the action of the drops.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Artificial Tears?

If you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or if your eye condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours, discontinue use and consult your health care professional.

To avoid contamination of this product, do not touch the tip of the container to any surface. Do not share this medicine with others. If the product changes color or becomes cloudy, do not use.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Artificial Tears?

Serious side effects due to the use of this medication are rare.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• change in vision
• eye pain
• eye irritation or redness that gets worse or lasts more than 72 hours

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• temporary stinging or blurred vision when applying the eye drops

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Once the product is opened, most experts recommend discarding the product after 30 days.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

 
 
Wikipedia: artificial tears

Artificial tears are lubricant eye drops used to treat the dryness and irritation associated with deficient tear production in keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes).[1] They are also used to moisten contact lenses and in eye examinations.

Artificial tears are available over-the-counter. Artificial tears are supplemented with other treatments in moderate to severe forms of dry eyes.

Chemistry

Preparations contain carboxymethyl cellulose,[1][2] hydroxypropyl methylcellulose[2] (a.k.a. HPMC or hypromellose), and hydroxypropyl cellulose[1]. They contain water, salts and polymers but lack the proteins found in natural tears. Patients who use them more frequently than once every three hours[1] should choose a brand without preservatives[1] or one with special non-irritating preservatives.

Effects

Application of artificial tears every few hours[3] can provide temporary relief from the symptoms of dry eyes. Hydroxypropyl cellulose stabilizes and thickens the precorneal tear film, and prolongs the tear film breakup time.[1]

Usage

Artificial tears usually are the first line of treatment for dry eyes.[2] While mild cases require application of lubricant drops four times a day, severe cases require more aggressive treatment, such as ten to twelve times a day.[1] Thicker artificial tears can be used in severe cases, although these may temporarily blur vision.[1]

An artificial tear insert such as Lacrisert which contains hydroxypropyl cellulose can also be used every morning.[1]

Precautions

Drops for red eyes can make the eyes even drier.[2] If wearing contact lenses, rewetting or lubricating drops specifically for contact lenses should be used.[2] Other types of drops may contain ingredients that damage the lens.[2]

Adverse effects, interactions and contraindications

Possible adverse effects of carboxymethyl cellulose and other similar lubricants include eye pain, irritation, continued redness, or vision changes.[1] Use should be discontinued if any of them occur.[1] Those of hydroxypropyl cellulose include hyperaemia, photophobia, stickiness of eyelashes, discomfort, and irritation.[1] Long term use of preservatives present in some artificial tears may harm the eye.[citation needed]

Artificial tears have no reported interactions.[1] A documented contraindication of artificial tears is hypersensitivity.[1]

Veterinary uses

Artificial tears are a part of the topical therapy for keratoconjunctivitis sicca for animals such as dogs, cats and horses.[4]

External links

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n

    Keratoconjunctivitis, Sicca. eMedicine. WebMD, Inc. (2006-04-21). Retrieved on 2006-11-12.

  2. ^ a b c d e f
  3. ^ Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca. The Merck Manual, Home Edition. Merck & Co., Inc. (2003-02-01). Retrieved on 2006-11-12.
  4. ^ Keratoconjunctivitis, Sicca. The Merck Veterinary Manual. Merck & Co., Inc.. Retrieved on 2006-11-18.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

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Copyrights:

Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Artificial tears".  Read more

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