Carteolol eye drops for glaucoma

About carteolol eye drops

In chronic open-angle glaucoma there is damage to the optic nerve at the back of your eye. It is usually caused by an increase in pressure within your eye. Carteolol eye drops work by lowering the pressure in your eye. They do this by reducing the amount of fluid your body makes to fill the front part of your eye (called aqueous humour). By reducing the amount of fluid produced, it reduces the pressure within your eye.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using the drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have asthma or any other breathing problems.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you have a heart condition.

• If you wear soft contact lenses.

• If you have Raynaud's disease or low blood pressure.

• If you are being treated for thyroid problems or diabetes.

• If you know you have a problem with the surface of your eye (the cornea), or if you have particularly dry eyes.

• If you are taking any medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have any allergies. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have had a bad reaction to any eye drops.

1. Wash your hands well before you use the drops.

2. Remove the cap.

3. Tilt your head back a little and pull the lower lid of your eye out to form a pocket.

4. Hold the bottle upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.

5. Apply enough pressure to the container to release one drop into your eye. Only use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

6. Close your eye for a minute or two, and press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose. This helps to stop the drop from draining away and keeps it in your eye.

7. Repeat the process in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes.

8. Replace the cap.

• Before you start using the eye drops, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about the eye drops and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from using them.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected, twice a day. Remember to use the drops regularly - try not to miss any doses. There are two strengths of carteolol eye drops available: 1% and 2%. Your doctor will probably prescribe the lower strength for you to use at first, but could later increase the strength of your drops if necessary.

• If you forget to use the drops at your usual time, put them in as soon as you remember but do not 'double up' to make up for any missed doses.

• Take care not to touch the tip of the dropper with your eye, fingers, or any other surface. This is to prevent the drops from becoming contaminated.

• If you are using any other eye drops, leave 5-10 minutes between applying each one. This is to prevent more liquid going into your eye than it can handle. Otherwise the drops will overflow from your eye and not have the intended effect.

• When first put in, eye drops can make your eyes water and may sometimes cause blurred vision. If this happens, it should quickly clear. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive and before you use tools or machines.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because there is a preservative in these eye drops which can affect soft contact lenses.

• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor and eye clinic so that your progress can be checked.

• If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, remember to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are using carteolol eye drops. This is because the drops may interfere with some medicines used during surgery.

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the side-effects associated with carteolol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your drops. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the eye drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

• Eye drops only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened, so do not use the drops if the bottle has been open for longer than this. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.