Atropine Eye Drops To Aid In Glasses Acceptance
Some children struggle to accept glasses, even if the prescription is correct. This is especially common in children who have hyperopia (far-sighted), strabismus (eye-misalignment), or amblyopia (lazy eye). Children may act as if the glasses are too strong or claim that glasses make their vision worse.
Atropine eye drops may help a child quickly adjust to wearing glasses. Atropine is a medicine that both dilates the pupils and relaxes the eye’s focusing muscle. When Atropine is used, the child’s vision will be more blurry unless glasses are worn.
How To Use Atropine Eye Drops
The medicine comes in a small dropper bottle, usually with a red-colored cap. Most parents give the eye drops at bedtime.
Wash your hands with soap and water before opening the bottle
It is helpful to have the child lie down on their back on the floor or a bed
Pull the lower eyelid down towards the mouth
Place one drop into the between the lower eyelid and the eyeball
Replace the bottle cap and place the medicine in a safe place
Wash your hands with soap and water (be sure to wash your hands before touching your own face, to avoid dilating your own eye)
Special Precautions
If too much medicine is used, the child’s face may feel warm or look flushed. This usually does not mean the child is allergic to the medication. It means that too much Atropine was used. Try to administer only 1 drop in each eye. If this happens again, stop using the eye drop and alert Bright Eye Consultants.
No special safety precautions are necessary when a child’s eyes are dilated with Atropine. They may experience some mild light sensitivity or squint in sunlight, but it is not dangerous. The child may appreciate a hat and/or sunglasses. The child may still play, run, swim, and attend school.
At times, eye alignment control may seem worse while the pupils are dilated. This will return to baseline after the drops wear off. The drops are most effective for a few days but can take up to 2 weeks to wear off completely.
Store the medicine in a safe and secure place that is out of reach of children. If it is taken by mouth, call Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.