The eyes of a modern person are under stress, from which various diseases can occur. The organ of vision is affected by hours of sitting at the monitor, work associated with papers and numbers, as well as adverse environmental conditions. Whatever the cause of inflammation of the eyes, it is necessary to be examined and take measures to eliminate it. In ophthalmology, Dexamethasone is popular - eye drops. The drug has hormones in its composition, therefore it should be prescribed only by a doctor. It is indicated in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and allergic lesions of the organ of vision.
Effect
Steroid drugs include Dexamethasone. Eye drops are intended to relieve the inflammatory process, eliminate exudative and allergic manifestations. The medicine has persistent activity, so only one drop guarantees a therapeutic effect for 8 hours.
Use involves instillation directly on the conjunctiva. The active component quickly penetrates the epithelium, and the liquid medium of the eyeball is quickly filled with it. Doctors focus on the features of the medication. The active substance is able to enhance its activity in the area of inflammation. Therefore, the therapeutic effect begins to appear after the first use.
Use pattern
Immediately after instillation, you can feel the effect of Dexamethasone. Eye drops are able to exert a beneficial effect even at the minimum dosage (1 drop). However, according to the severity of the disease and the degree of eye damage, the optometrist may prescribe a different application regimen.
So, to remove the inflammatory process, the drug must be used as soon as possible. If surgery is planned in the eye area, then the drops will be prescribed a week after the operation. However, if glaucoma was removed, then the medication can be used immediately after the procedure. Therefore, doctors emphasize that the scheme is always individual, and only a specialist knows when and in what quantities to use the drug.
Release form and medical composition
Patients noted a convenient to use form of release of "Dexamethasone". Eye drops can be purchased in small plastic bottles. Each vial contains 5 ml of the medicine, and a separate pipette is attached to it. The main therapeutic component is a hormonal substance - a glucocorticosteroid. It is a synthetic product. For 1 ml of drops, 1 mg of the active ingredient falls. This concentration promotes a quick effect and minimizes side effects.
In the treatment of various infectious pathologies of the organs of vision, "Dexamethasone" is used - eye drops. The instruction contains information about the full composition, which is important to know when assigning them to patients:
- dexamethasone sodium phosphate;
- boric acid;
- disodium edetate;
- benzalkonium chloride;
- sodium tetraborate;
- purified water intended for injection.
Drops are intended for direct instillation on the eyeball, therefore they are sterile.
Destination Goals
The use of eye drops "Dexamethasone" leads to the elimination of the inflammatory process of various etiologies. The drug is one of the few hormones that ophthalmologists recommend having in their home medicine cabinet. The medication will help prevent an infectious process when a foreign body enters the eye, relieve conjunctivitis irritation in case of an allergic reaction, and also help get rid of edema with sensitivity to cosmetic products.
In medical practice, oculists often use Dexamethasone eye drops. Why the drug is prescribed is described in detail in the instructions attached to it. It is used to treat the following diseases:
- acute and chronic inflammatory process (keratitis, conjunctivitis);
- corneal injuries;
- choroiditis, chorioretinitis;
- keratoconjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis;
- uveitis, iritis, iridocyclitis.
A wide spectrum of action has "Dexamethasone". Drops of eye reviews of patients are mostly satisfactory. They can be used for burns of the cornea and for exacerbation of a fairly common disease, which is popularly called "barley".
Instruction for use
Despite the fact that the drops are recommended to be kept in a home medicine cabinet and allowed to be used on their own, it is still better to seek an appointment with an ophthalmologist. For first aid, and before it becomes possible to consult a doctor, the drug must be instilled 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day. Instillation should occur directly in the conjunctival sac, which is located in the inner corner of the eye. It should be remembered that the maximum course of treatment should not exceed 21 days. If the inflammatory process is not localized or there are other reasons for continuing therapy, then an examination and individual prescription are necessary.
In acute infectious eye lesions, the frequency of use is every 1-2 hours. In this case, only one drop is dripped into each eye. After relieving the exacerbation, the dosage regimen changes. They also drip one drop, but every 4-6 hours.
If it is necessary to treat the organ of vision after surgery or injury, the course involves the use of the drug from two to four weeks. Moreover, the frequency of use should not exceed four times a day.
In chronic pathology affecting the organ of vision, drops can be prescribed for up to one month (the maximum allowable). The tool is used one drop twice a day.
Use in childhood
Strict restrictions and indications in childhood has Dexamethasone. Eye drops (instructions for use - confirmation of this) can be used in the treatment of the inflammatory process in children over six years old. Typical indications are surgical interventions and infectious lesions of the organ of vision.
The usual pattern of use in childhood is as follows: for children from six to twelve years old - one drop twice a day. The course of treatment should not exceed ten days. The doctor may prolong the therapy, but only after a fluorescein test to completely eliminate damage to the cornea of the eye.
For younger patients, the drug is usually not prescribed, but the doctor acts at his discretion and can use it for some diseases. However, a complete contraindication is up to two years of age.
Side effects
When following the doctor’s recommendations, there are usually no unpleasant symptoms when using Dexamethasone. Eye drops, the instructions for use of which are presented in this article, can still cause side effects. Among them:
- Adverse effects on the nervous system. During treatment, headache and insomnia may be disturbing.
- Itching, redness, lacrimation.
- Temporary decrease in vision.
- Nausea and vomiting.
In order to maximally protect yourself from side effects of treatment, a specialist should prescribe a therapeutic course. It is important not to neglect the recommendations regarding the duration of use. You can drip the drug yourself for no more than two weeks.
It is known that side effects with proper use are rare. However, the annotation says that in some cases, intraocular pressure may increase, corneal ulcers may occur, or sclera integrity may be impaired. Experts note that such manifestations are possible only in individual cases and in violation of the rules of admission and recommended doses.
We consider contraindications
Like any drug, Dexamethasone is contraindicated in certain cases. The instructions indicate the following conditions:
- children under six years old;
- purulent inflammatory process;
- damaged corneal epithelium;
- lesions associated with a viral infection or fungal;
- individual reaction to any component;
- tuberculosis of the eye;
- glaucoma;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding (prescribed for urgent need).
There are caveats for patients who wear contact lenses. Before using drops, they must be removed. Subsequent use of lenses is possible no earlier than 20 minutes after the procedure.
Possible replacement
If for some reason it is impossible to purchase Dexamethasone in a pharmacy, you can buy its analogue. A complete synonym, only having a different manufacturer, is Oftan Dexamethasone. Eye drops instructions for use are completely similar to those discussed above. Therefore, all dosage and dosage regimens remain the same.
Also, the pharmacist can offer Oftanal. This drug is not hormonal and is based on ketorolac. Main destination:
- non-infectious conjunctivitis treatment;
- rehabilitation therapy after surgery.
Vizin drops are in great demand among the population. They effectively eliminate eye redness caused by tension of the eyeball and optic nerve. In addition, the tool:
- relieves eye fatigue and swelling;
- eliminates the external manifestations of an allergic reaction;
- helps in treating chemical burns of the cornea.
Among people whose work is closely related to computers, the tool is quite popular. Also, the drug in question can be replaced with drops such as Dexapos or Maxidex. They have a completely identical composition and, accordingly, the same indications.
Patient opinion
A lot of different opinions about the use of "Dexamethasone" (eye drops). Instructions and reviews are carefully studied by patients, so the most popular responses are given.
So, people with allergies often use these drops during an exacerbation. However, they claim that symptoms such as tearing and redness disappear in a couple of days. Patients who injured the eyeball also respond positively to the drug. Drops relieve swelling, pain and prevent inflammation. Especially effective for conjunctivitis. Even if other drugs were powerless, it is Dexamethasone that eliminates all the unpleasant consequences.
When prescribing "Dexamethasone", instructions for the use of eye drops and reviews on their use most concern patients. Nevertheless, there are patients who complain of itching and burning after instillation. After use, lacrimation intensifies and some blurred vision is noted. But these symptoms usually go away pretty quickly. At the same time, doctors still warn for the duration of treatment to refrain from traveling behind the wheel and performing work requiring extreme vigilance and attention.
Conclusion
We reviewed the instructions and reviews on the drug "Dexamethasone". The medication has been widely used and is often prescribed by oculists. However, you should not consider it a panacea for many vision problems.