To diagnose some ophthalmic problems, doctors need to see the fundus, which is impossible without the artificial expansion of the pupil. This can only be done with the use of special medications. To achieve maximum mydriasis allow drops that dilate the pupil. Preparations of this category are used in the examination of children and adults. Let us consider in more detail which drops are used to diagnose various eye diseases.
When are drops needed to dilate the pupils?
The pupil size is constantly changing and depends on the lighting. Through this small hole with the help of a special tool - an ophthalmoscope - an ophthalmologist can look inside the eye and identify the pathology. However, inspection may cause some difficulties. The light that the device emits causes a narrowing of the pupil, which greatly complicates the diagnostic process. In order to avoid such difficulties, experts use drops that dilate the pupil.
Drugs that can increase the diameter of the pupil are called mydriatics. The main objective of such funds is to relax some eye muscles. Indications for use are pathologies such as retinal detachment, dystrophic changes. Mydriatics help in assessing the state of the vessels of the retina, lens, optic nerve.
Drops can also be prescribed for medicinal purposes. For example, with a spasm of accommodation, a medication will help eliminate tension in the eye muscle. Eye drops are used, expanding the pupil in inflammatory processes of the organs of vision, during surgery.
If it is necessary to determine refraction in young children, it is important that the lens is immobilized. Mydriatics also help achieve this effect. You can not do without such drugs in the process of diagnosing astigmatism and hyperopia.
Effective and safe drops
Ophthalmic preparations dilating the pupil are distinguished depending on the mechanism of action. One drop - direct mydriatics - can cause contraction of the muscle responsible for the increase in the pupil. Such drops include Irifrin, Phenylephrine.
The second group of drugs is called indirect mydriatics. They relax the muscle responsible for narrowing the diameter of the pupil. These drops have a similar effect on another muscle that adjusts focus. They can be used for medicinal purposes. Among these drugs are Tropicamide, Midrum, and Midriacil eye drops.
Atropine Drops
Until recently, this drug was used in ophthalmic practice everywhere. However, today it is gradually being superseded due to prolonged therapeutic effects, many contraindications and frequent cases of adverse reactions. The active component of eye drops - atropine sulfate - is of plant origin (alkaloid). The substance dilates the pupil and increases intraocular pressure. Due to this, accommodation paralysis develops and vision at a small distance worsens somewhat.
"Atropine" - drops that dilate the pupil,
rarely used in severe diseases of the cardiovascular, urinary and digestive systems. The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation and some pathologies of an ophthalmic nature.
The maximum effect is observed 30-40 minutes after instillation of the drops and it persists for several days. If the effect of the drug does not stop for 7-10 days, this is attributed to side effects. The medicine can also provoke dizziness, tachycardia, hyperemia of the skin of the eyelids.
Means "Tropicamide": instructions for use
The medication belongs to mydriatics and affects the ciliary muscle of the eye, which is responsible for changing the diameter of the pupil, as well as the sphincter receptors of the iris of the visual organ. As a result of the therapeutic action, short-term expansion of the pupil occurs, and its narrowing is prevented.
The drug is available only in the form of a solution for instillation into the eyes. The active component of the drug is tropicamide. 1 ml of drops may contain 5 or 10 mg of the active substance. The therapeutic effect after applying the drops occurs after 5-10 minutes.
How many drops dilate the pupil, "Tropicamide"? The duration of the therapeutic effect depends on the concentration of the active component. When applying a 1% solution, the effect persists for 60 minutes. This concentration is usually used to diagnose ophthalmic pathologies in children. Adult patients are prescribed Tropicamide drops in the form of a 2% solution. In this case, the effect of the drug lasts at least 2 hours.
Application rules
According to the annotation, the drug can be used in the following cases:
- in the diagnosis of the lens;
- when examining the fundus;
- for measuring refraction;
- in the process of surgical intervention on the retina, lens;
- as part of complex therapy in the treatment of eye diseases;
- for the prevention of inflammation after surgery.
The concentration of the drug is selected depending on the necessary speed of the therapeutic effect and on the purpose of use. The drug "Tropicamide" instructions for use are recommended to be instilled using a dropper, which is equipped with a bottle, or use a pipette. The drug should enter the lower conjunctival sac.
The maximum expansion of the pupil can be achieved by instilling a 1% solution of 1 drop in each eye. If you use a drug with a lower concentration of the active substance, you must first instill one drop and repeat the manipulation after 5 minutes.
Tropicamide for children
Drops that dilate the pupil can be used to diagnose vision, even in newborn babies. Only a 0.5% solution is allowed. To prevent the occurrence of side effects, experts recommend diluting drops with saline in a ratio of 1: 1 immediately before use.
In rare cases, the drug can cause local side effects: photophobia, burning, decreased visual acuity, a short-term increase in intraocular pressure.