Oliver Backhouse, Consultant Eye Surgeon www.cataract.org.uk
Frequently used eye drops
Eye drops can be used to effectively treat a range of eye conditions. Please read on for a summary of the eye drops available, the conditions they can be used to treat and a short explanation of how they work.
| Antibiotic: | |
|---|---|
| Chloramphenicol | For conjunctivitis |
| Exocin | For corneal infection |
| Fucithalmic | For conjunctivitis and blepharitis |
| Genticin | For bad corneal infection |
| Glaucoma: | |
| Alphagan | Reduces fluid production. Can cause redness. |
| Azopt | Reduces fluid production |
| Betagan | Reduces fluid production. B-Blocker. Can cause shortness of breath. |
| Combigan | Combined Alphagan and Timoptol. |
| Cosopt | Combined Trusopt and Timoptol |
| Ganfort | Combined Lumigan and Timoptol. |
| Lumigan | Reduces fluid production and increases drainage. Popular first choice. |
| Pilocarpine | Not often used now. Has a role in angle closure glaucoma. |
| Trusopt | Reduces fluid production. |
| Timoptol | Reduces fluid production. B-Blocker. Can cause shortness of breath. |
| Travatan | Reduces fluid production and increases drainage. Popular first choice. |
| Xalatan | Reduces fluid production and increases drainage. Popular first choice. |
| Xalacom | Combined Xalatan and Timoptol. |
| Anti - Inflammatory: | |
| Alomide | Popular anti-allergy |
| Acular | Good for eye discomfort and after cataract surgery. |
| Betnesol | Medium strength steroid |
| Betnesol - N | Popular steroid / antibiotic combination after cataract surgery. |
| FML | Weak steroid |
| Maxidex | Strong steroid |
| Maxitrol | Steroid / antibiotic combination |
| Opticrom | Mild anti-allergy |
| Optilast | Popular anti-allergy |
| Otrivine | Mild anti-allergy |
| Predsol Forte | Strong steroid |
| Predsol | Medium strength steroid |
| Predsol - N | Steroid / antibiotic combination |
| Rapitil | Popular anti-allergy |
| Vexol | Medium strength steroid |
| Lotemax | Medium / strong steroid. reduced cataract and pressure effect. |
| All steroid drops should only be used under the supervision of an eye specialist. | |
| Dry eye preparations: | |
| Hyabak | Good for all dry eye (preservative free). |
| Celluvisc Drops | good for very dry eye (preservative free) |
| Gel tears | Gel for moderate dry eye |
| Hypromellose | Drop for mild dry eye |
| Ilube | Drop for mild dry eye with excess mucous |
| Liquifilm | Drop for mild / moderate dry eye |
| Lacrilube | Ointment for use at night only |
| Sno-tears | Drop for mild / moderate dry eye |
| Tears Naturale | Drop for mild / moderate dry eye |
| Viscotears | Gel for moderate dry eye |
| Blephaclean | Wipes used for cleaning eyelids |
| Dilating drops: | |
| Atropine | 5 days long acting |
| Cyclopentolate | 1 day medium acting |
| Phenylephrine | Few hours short acting |
| Tropicamide | Few hours short acting |