Pilocarpine eye drops for acute glaucoma

About pilocarpine eye drops

Pilocarpine eye drops are used for glaucoma. They are most commonly used for acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG). This occurs when the pressure inside your eye gets too high very quickly. AACG is sometimes referred to as acute closed-angle glaucoma, or simply, acute glaucoma. It must be treated straightaway.

This type of glaucoma is caused by a sudden blockage in your eye, which prevents fluid from draining out of your eye. As more fluid is still being made in your eye, the pressure inside your eye starts to rise quickly. This causes pain and redness and your vision may be affected. Pilocarpine works by causing your pupil to constrict which opens up the drainage channels in your eye. This allows the fluid to leave your eye and relieves the pressure.

There are other types of glaucoma which occur more gradually but pilocarpine is not commonly used for the treatment of these.

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

• Se sei incinta o stai allattando.

• If you have a heart condition, or if you have been told your blood pressure is higher or lower than normal.

• If you have any of the following conditions: asthma, epilepsy, or Parkinson's disease.

• If you have a problem with your digestive system, such as an ulcer or spasms.

• Se hai una ghiandola tiroidea iperattiva.

• If you have been experiencing difficulty passing urine.

• Se stai assumendo o utilizzando altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

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

2. Remove the cap (or open the single-dose unit by twisting off the tip).

3. Inclina leggermente la testa all'indietro e tira verso il basso la palpebra inferiore per formare una tasca.

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

5. Apply enough pressure to release one drop 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. Ripeti il processo nell'altro occhio se ti è stato detto di usare le gocce in entrambi gli occhi.

8. Replace the cap on the bottle (or throw away the single-dose unit).
   

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

• Your doctor will tell you how often to put the drops in. Use the drops exactly as your doctor tells you to. They are commonly used up to four times a day, although you may need to use them more regularly to begin with.

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

• When first put in, eye drops can cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear, but it can become troublesome at night or in reduced lighting. Make sure you can see clearly before you drive, or before using tools or machines.

• If you usually wear contact lenses, please speak with your doctor for advice. Your eye is likely to be too painful for lenses, but even if not, do not wear contact lenses while you are using pilocarpine eye drops unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because there is a preservative in bottles of eye drops which can affect soft contact lenses.

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

Bottles of eye drops contain preservatives which some people can develop an allergic reaction to. If your eye becomes more red or inflamed after using the drops, contact your doctor for advice.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.

• Eye drops in bottles only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened. Do not use pilocarpine drops if the bottle has been open for longer than this, even if there is some solution remaining.

• Single-dose units (Minims®) should be used immediately the unit is opened. Do not store or re-use opened units for subsequent doses. This is because the units do not contain any preservative.