Treatment for eye conditions Flashcards
1
Q
What treatments are there for eye conditions (7)
A
- Propamidine
- Naphazoline and xylometazoline
- Chloramphenicol
- Hypromellose and other artificial tears
- Antazoline
- Witch hazel (hamamelis)
- Sodium cromoglicate
2
Q
What is Propamidine (3)
A
- an antibacterial ingredient available as an eye drop.
- It can be used to treat minor eye infections such as blepharitis and bacterial conjunctivitis
- for both adults and children.
3
Q
What is Naphazoline and xylometazoline (4)
A
- These reduce redness, irritation and inflammation of the eye.
- When the blood vessels on the eye are dilated, they make the eyes appear red.
- These drugs work by shrinking the blood vessels and so reducing the redness.
- As they work on the blood vessels, they are not suitable for people with existing heart conditions (for example high blood pressure, diabetes, over-active thyroid and raised cholesterol).
4
Q
What is Chloramphenicol (9)
A
- an antibacterial
- eye drops or eye ointment
- used for bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children over the age of two years.
- applied every 2 hours for the first 48 hours and every 4 hours thereafter.
- only needs to be used during waking hours so customers do not need to worry about waking up in the middle of the night to use the medicine.
- should be continued for 48 hours after the eye appears normal.
- can only be used for a maximum of five days when purchased over the counter
- drops need to be stored in the fridge and discard any remainder after five days of opening.
- The ointment does not need to be stored in the fridge.
5
Q
What is Hypromellose and other artificial tears (4)
A
- used as a tear substitute and lubricant when applied to the eye.
- Other types of artificial tears include sodium hyaluronate, carbomers and carmellose sodium.
- Some eye drops contain preservatives, which can cause damage to the eye if used frequently
- preservative-free drops are recommended, especially if they are used more than four times a day for a long time.
6
Q
What is Antazoline (4)
A
- an antihistamine and helps to reduce the itching in allergic conditions.
- in allergic conditions it is always best to avoid the substance that is causing the allergy.
- With hayfever that is difficult to control, but wearing sunglasses and not going out in the morning, when pollen is rising, or in the evening, when it is falling again, are good deterrents.
- If other substances (eg. make up, soap) are causing the allergy, they should be avoided.
7
Q
What is Witch hazel (hamamelis) (3)
A
- an astringent that also has anti-inflammatory properties.
- It is used in drops and eye lotions to help relieve tired, sore eyes, where no other cause is apparent.
- However, if there is no improvement within a few days, you should tell the customer to return and speak to the pharmacist.
8
Q
What is Sodium cromoglicate (2)
A
- used to prevent the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.
- They are especially useful in relieving any eye symptoms of hay fever, such as itchy, sore eyes.
9
Q
What are the side effects of eye drops and ointments (6)
A
- eye irritation
- mild burning or stinging when they are first applied to the eye(s).
- blurring of the vision.
- These effects are usually short-lived and should disappear after a few minutes.
- If they do continue, or other unusual side effects are experienced, the patient should be referred to the pharmacist for further advice.
- Antazoline is an antihistamine, so it can cause drowsiness or headaches, though again this is rare as very little of the drug directly enters the bloodstream (from the eyes) to have such an effect.
10
Q
When are eye products not suitable (3)
A
- Contact lenses
- Medicated patients
- In both cases you will need to check with the pharmacist as to which product is suitable for your customer, if any.
11
Q
How are eye ointments used (7)
A
- Check the dosage
- Wash hands before you start
- Tilt the head back slightly
- Pull down lower eye lid with one finger to create pocket
- Look upwards – this creates a bigger pocket
- Apply thin line 1cm long into this pocket
- Close the eye and move the eyeball to spread the ointment around the eye.
12
Q
What advice is there for when using eye ointments (5)
A
- Discard 28 days after opening (patients should be advised to discard OTC chloramphenicol eye drops and ointment after five days of opening).
- Some eye drops/ointments last up to six months, so always check the instructions on the bottle.
- Avoid touching the eyeball with the nozzle.
- It makes the eye greasy which can cause blurred vision for a while so use at night if possible
- Lasts longer in the eye so do not need to use as much or as often as drops
13
Q
How are eye drops used (7)
A
- Use a DROP not a SQUIRT
- Check the dosage
- Wash hands before you start
- Tilt the head back slightly
- Pull down lower eye lid with one finger to create pocket
- Place 1 drop into this pocket
- Wait 5 minutes before putting in another drop (but only if dosage instructions say to)
14
Q
What advice is there for when using eye drops (5)
A
- Discard 28 days after opening (patients should be advised to discard OTC chloramphenicol eye drops and ointment after five days of opening.
- Some eye drops/ointments last up to six months, so always check the instructions on the bottle.)
- Avoid touching the eyeball with the nozzle
- May leak out of the eye, so have a tissue handy
- Does not last very long in the eye, so dosage may be more frequent than ointments
15
Q
How are eye lotions (washes) used (4)
A
- Check the dosage
- Wash hands before you start
- Apply half-filled eye bath to open eye
- Do NOT return any unused lotion into the bottle – this can transfer any bacteria/substance from the eye into the wash
16
Q
What advice is there for when using eye lotions (washes) (4)
A
- Do not store an opened bottle for long periods
- Avoid touching the eyeball with the bath
- Can be difficult to apply and use
- Used as a wash to relieve sore, gritty eyes but does not last very long
