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Artificial tears

 
Drug Info: Artificial Tears
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Brand names: 20/20 Tears®Adsorbotear®Akwa Tears®Aquasite®AquaSite® U.D.Artificial TearsArtificial Tears OintmentArtificial Tears®Artificial Tears® PlusBion® TearsCelluvisc®Clear Eyes® CLRDry Eyes®Eye-Lube-A®GenTeal Severe Dry EyeGenTeal®Genteal® MildGenteal® ModerateGenteal® PFGenteal® SevereGoniosol™Hypotears®Hypotears® Lubricant Ophthalmic OintmentHypotears® PF Ophthalmic SolutionHypotears® SelectHyprosol™Isopto® TearsLacrilube® NPLacrilube® SOP®Liquifilm Tears®Liquifilm® ForteLiquilube® TearsLiquitears®Lubrifair®Lubritears®Marlop®Moisture Eyes ™ PMMoisture Eyes Drops®Moisture Eyes™Moisture Eyes™ ProtectMurocel®Natural Tears®Natures TearsNu-Tears® IIOpti-Free® Rewetting DropsPreservative-free Moisture Eyes®Puralube®Refresg Endura®Refresh Liquigel®Refresh P.M.®Refresh Plus®Refresh® EyedropsRefresh® PlusRefresh® TearsSoothe™ Eye DropsSystane®Systane® Preservative FreeTearGard®Teargen®Teargen® IITearisol®Tears Naturale®Tears Naturale® FreeTears Naturale® IITears Plus®Tears PureTears Renewed®TheraTears®Twenty Twenty®Ultra Tears®Visine Pure Tears® Preservative FreeVisine Tears®Visine Tears® Lasting ReliefViva-Drops®



Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Ophthalmic drops, solution

What is this medicine?

ARTIFICIAL TEARS (ahr tuh FISH uhl  teerz) eye solution soothes irritation and discomfort caused by dry eyes.
 
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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

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

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is 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 medicine at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be used in children as young as 6 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected. If you are using other eye drops with this medicine, 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.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

If you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or if your eye condition gets worse or lasts longer 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.

If you wear contact lenses, you should remove them before putting the drops in your eyes. Wait at least 15 minutes after putting the drops in your eyes before putting your contact lenses back in.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
•change in vision
•eye irritation or redness that gets worse or lasts more than 72 hours
•eye pain

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

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should 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.

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Wikipedia: Artificial tears
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
A subset of various brands of artificial tears displayed in a store

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.

Contents

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. http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic695.htm. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Meadows, Michelle (May-June 2005). "Dealing with Dry Eye". FDA Consumer Magazine. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/305_eye.html. Retrieved on 2006-11-16. 
  3. ^ "Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca". The Merck Manual, Home Edition. Merck & Co., Inc.. 2003-02-01. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec20/ch230/ch230d.html. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. 
  4. ^ "Keratoconjunctivitis, Sicca". The Merck Veterinary Manual. Merck & Co., Inc.. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/30107.htm. 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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Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Artificial tears".  Read more