What is atropine ophthalmic?
Atropine ophthalmic causes the muscles in your eye to become relaxed. This widens your pupil. Your pupil will remain wide and will not respond to light.
Atropine ophthalmic is used to dilate (widen) your pupil when you have an inflammatory condition or in postsurgery situations in which this effect may be helpful.
Atropine ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about atropine ophthalmic?
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Apply light pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) for 1 to 3 minutes after each drop or ointment application to prevent the medicine from draining down your tear duct.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Atropine ophthalmic may cause blurred vision. If you experience blurred vision, avoid these activities. The effects of even one drop of this medication can last for up to 2 weeks. Be sure that your vision is clear before attempting any activity that could be dangerous.
Atropine ophthalmic may make your eyes more sensitive to light. Protect your eyes when you are going to be in bright light.
Who should not use atropine ophthalmic?
Do not use atropine ophthalmic if you have glaucoma that is not being treated.
Atropine ophthalmic eye drops contain a preservative (benzalkonium chloride), so do not wear soft contact lenses when the eye drops are being inserted.
Atropine ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Do not use atropine ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Atropine ophthalmic passes into breast milk in small quantities. Its effects on a nursing baby are unknown. Do not use atropine ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 65 years of age, there is a greater chance that you have increased pressure in your eyes. Atropine ophthalmic may worsen this condition. Your doctor will need to monitor this.
Atropine ophthalmic may cause unusual reactions in children and infants since they may be more susceptible to the side effects. Use extra caution when atropine ophthalmic is being used on a child.