Homatropine eye drops

About homatropine eye drops

Homatropine makes the pupil of your eye larger and relaxes the muscles in your eye. These things make it easier for your eye to be examined and your vision tested.

Homatropine drops can also be prescribed during the treatment of a condition called anterior uveitis. This is a painful eye condition caused by inflammation within the eye. By making your pupil larger and relaxing the muscles in your eye, it reduces pain and allows the inflamed part of your eye to rest and recover.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you use the drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any eye drops.

• If you normally wear contact lenses.

• If you have been told you have a higher than normal pressure in your eye, or if you have glaucoma.

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

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Homatropine eye drops will generally be administered for you, but if you are asked to put the drops in yourself, then:

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 dropper 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.

• Take care not to touch your eye, fingers or any other surface with the dropper of the bottle. This could infect the liquid left in the bottle.

• Homatropine will cause blurred vision which may last for some time. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive and before you use tools or machines.

• If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave about ten 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 may not have the intended effect.

• If you normally wear contact lenses, do not wear them again until your doctor advises you do so.

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with homatropine eye drops. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to a 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.

• There is no preservative in homatropine eye drops, so throw away the bottle after use. Never keep opened bottles of eye drops to use later. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.