Children, more often than adults, suffer from various kinds of ophthalmological diseases. There is a simple explanation for this fact - the curiosity of children from 3-4 years old knows no bounds.
I want to see and touch the whole world.
It is because of dirty hands that children touch their eyes that bacterial and viral infections occur .
Depending on the cause of discomfort, eye drops are prescribed.
pharmachologic effect
The main active substance in the drug, piloxidine, is a compound of the biguanide group.
The drug is considered a powerful antiseptic that can relieve inflammation of any severity and overcome infection.
Drops effectively cope with pathogenic cocci, viruses, shigella, E. coli, fungal infections, and chlamydia.
The components of the drug are not absorbed into the bloodstream and act directly on the conjunctiva of the eye .
Features of children's eye drops
Keep in mind! When using ophthalmic medications, it is extremely important that they are formulated specifically for children.
As a rule, the manufacturer makes appropriate notes on the packaging . This is due to the dosage of active substances in the eye drops.
For children it will be less concentrated . Use of medications for adults may cause adverse reactions.
For example, in anti-inflammatory eye drops for school-age children and adults, the main component is steroidal and non-steroidal substances.
Instructions for use
Note! According to the instructions for use, the drug is used according to a specific scheme for various diseases:
- For acute bacterial infections , 1-2 drops are dripped into each eye up to 6 times a day. Once acute symptoms have subsided, you can reduce the number of applications to three times a day. If the inflammation is not severe, then you can instill it drop by drop, twice a day, and the course of treatment is 10 days.
- Before surgery, place 2 drops into each eye, once.
- During the post-operative period, on the first day, 1-2 drops 4 times, as a preventive measure.
- For cataract extraction, 1-2 drops 2 times every 24 hours, for a month.
Medicines for chronic conjunctivitis
Chronic conjunctivitis, as a rule, means irritation and inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by prolonged exposure to harmful physical or chemical factors, or active foci of chronic infection in other organs.
Against the background of long-existing inflammation, the composition of the tear film and the amount of tears changes, and dry eye syndrome (DES) develops, which over time can develop into a severe form - corneal-conjunctival xerosis. In this case, epithelial defects occur (recurrent erosion), and a corneal ulcer may develop (a serious disease that threatens complete blindness).
Therefore, it is important not only to treat the cause of conjunctivitis, but also to use tear substitutes.[1]
Fig. 4 Tear substitutes (moisturizing drops) used for chronic conjunctivitis
“Cationorm” is a unique cationic emulsion that is suitable for people with glaucoma, blepharitis, allergic conjunctivitis and people using hormone replacement therapy (menopausal hormones, oral contraceptives). The drug restores all three layers of tears and prevents itching and redness of the eyes. Cationorm helps with severe pain and dryness in the eyes that appears in the morning, and quickly relieves discomfort. Drops can be applied directly to lenses. Drops should be used 1-2 drops into the eye sac 1-4 times a day.[2]
"Ocutiarz" - eye drops based on hyaluronic acid (a natural component of human tears) with an ultra-high molecular weight help to quickly relieve dryness and eliminate pain in the eyes that occurs occasionally after prolonged visual work (computer syndrome in office employees, motorists/motorcyclists, frequent fliers , travelers, students). In addition, the drops are suitable for people after ophthalmic surgery and people who have recently worn contact lenses. They do not contain preservatives and can be in direct contact with lenses. Directions for use: 1-4 times a day, 1 drop.[3]
“Oftagel” is an eye gel with carbomer in maximum concentration that moisturizes the ocular surface for a long time, eliminates pain and lacrimation of the eyes, and does not require frequent instillation; it can be used once a day as a means of additional eye hydration. Suitable for people who do not have the opportunity or desire to use drops during the day. Use 1 drop of the drug 1 – 4 times a day, depending on the severity of symptoms.[4]
In conclusion, the following points need to be emphasized:
Modern drugs used in ophthalmology, as a rule, have a wide spectrum and combined nature of action, so the same medicine can be prescribed for different types and forms of conjunctivitis. On the other hand, each variant of the inflammatory process requires a special approach - for example, a herpes viral infection is treated slightly differently than a “simple” adenoviral infection.
Further, there are very dangerous, but statistically rarer, or not typical for our latitudes forms of conjunctivitis - parasitic, epidemic Koch-Wicks, etiologically unclear, mixed (involving the cornea, eyelids, etc.) - therapy for which is beyond the scope of this article.
Finally, many of the drugs described above have absolute or relative contraindications, i.e. should be excluded or prescribed in sparing dosages (or under special medicinal cover) in the treatment of conjunctivitis in such categories of patients as children, pregnant or lactating women, people with weak immunity, patients with severe somatic pathology, etc. Considering the huge number of such clinical, therapeutic , pharmacological nuances, any attempts at self-medication, incl. "folk" means. Conjunctivitis of any genesis (origin) is not as harmless as it seems to many; in some cases, it poses a direct danger to vision, which is why timely seeking ophthalmological help is so important.
Material prepared by: Sagonenko Dmitry Alekseevich
Ophthalmologist, site consultant
List of sources used
- Kovalevskaya M.A., Maychuk D.Yu., Brzhesky V.V. Red eye syndrome. Practical guide for ophthalmologists. Moscow, 2010
- Brzhesky V.V., Algorithm for choosing tear replacement therapy in patients in outpatient practice, Clinical Ophthalmology 2022, No. 1
- Instructions for use of Ocutiarz® ophthalmic moisturizing solution
- Maychuk Yu. F., Yani E. V., Maychuk D. Yu. Artificial tear preparation Oftagel in the treatment of dry eye syndrome after epidemic keratoconjunctivitis / Breast Cancer “Clinical Ophthalmology”, No. 4 of November 12, 2001, p. 172.
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Indications for use
The drug is indicated for use in the following diseases of an inflammatory and infectious nature:
- Levomycetin eye drops - instructions for use for adults and children. For the treatment of infectious diseases
- conjunctivitis;
- keratitis;
- dacryocystitis;
- chlamydial infections (trachoma);
- blepharitis;
- as a preventive medicine against infectious complications;
- after surgery on the eyeball.
In children
Stay up to date! The medicine is prescribed for children in the following cases:
- damage to the anterior part of the eyeball by a bacterial infection - blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis;
- dacryocystitis , often found in infants;
- as a prophylactic agent in the postoperative period to prevent complications;
- It can also be used as a prophylaxis if there is close contact with a patient infected with viral conjunctivitis.
Procedure and dosage for instillation in children
Before using drops on a child, an adult washes their hands thoroughly .
If pathological discharge has dried on the eyelashes, then the eyes need to be thoroughly rinsed and cleaned .
This is done with two cotton pads, a separate one for each eye: moisten in warm boiled water and wipe each eye, from the outer corner to the inner, with a separate pad.
To instill the medicine, the child should be placed so that his head is thrown back , with his gaze directed upward.
- How to properly make compresses with Dimexide for knee arthrosis?
Gently pull back the lower eyelid and inject the solution under it . Avoid touching your baby's eyes or skin to avoid contaminating the dropper on the bottle. Do not touch the pipette with your hands.
A child with an acute bacterial infection is prescribed the composition , 1 drop in each eye, for a course of 10 days.
The frequency of administration depends on the severity of the disease and can be from 2 to 6 times per day.
Remember! You should not self-medicate; a more precise dosage will be prescribed by your pediatrician, whom you should contact for advice.
For one-time use, instill 1 drop into each conjunctival sac.
Vitabact is used as a prophylactic if a child has undergone eye surgery.
Drops are used 3-4 times a day, 1 drop.
The doctor may also prescribe medication before surgery - 1-2 drops in each eye.
If a child comes into contact with a patient with conjunctivitis, then when you come home you can administer 1 drop of Vitabact for prevention.
Side effects
Keep in mind! In rare cases, an allergic reaction may occur, which manifests itself as:
- severe burning sensation;
- uncontrolled lacrimation;
- conjunctival hyperemia;
- foreign body sensation.
If after using the drug these symptoms are observed , or the eyes turn red and severe discomfort is felt, then the administration of the drug is stopped .
- Knee pain when bending and straightening: causes and treatment
It is also worth taking into account that when Vitabakt is instilled, there is a temporary loss of clarity of vision , as soon as the use is stopped the next day everything returns to normal.
Eye drops and ointments for allergic conjunctivitis
In case of allergic conjunctivitis, it is necessary, first of all, to eliminate or minimize contact with the allergen. To relieve symptoms, antihistamine H1-blockers are prescribed to suppress the allergic reaction:
- drops Allergodil, Opatanol, Cromohexal, Lecrolin, Ketotifen, etc.;
- decongestant and vasoconstrictor drops (Vizin, Visomitin, Oksial);
- eye ointments, incl. hormonal (Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone);
Tablets of systemic antihistamines (for example, Tavegil, Suprastin, Loratadine and their analogues) may also be prescribed.
Composition and features of release from pharmacies
Eye drops 0.05% are colorless, transparent , but may have a yellowish tint.
It is worth noting! The solution is dispensed without a doctor's prescription. The cardboard box contains a plastic bottle with a pipette tip.
When the lid is tightly twisted, the spike on it pierces the top and the medicine is ready for use.
The drops work thanks to the active substance included in the composition of picloxidine , which is found in a concentration of 0.05%.
Additional substances:
- Dihydrochloride - 500 mcg per 1 g.
- Polysorbate 80.
- Distilled water.
Groups of eye drops for children
Depending on the symptoms of the disease, there are several categories of eye drops for children.
Antibiotic solutions
The drugs are designed to combat pathogenic microflora.
Stye on the inside or outside of the eyelid,
inflammation of the mucous membrane or eyelash margin is a reason to use eye drops with antibiotics.
The mechanism of action of such medications is aimed at destroying bacteria that caused the inflammatory process.
Antibiotics in the composition can negatively affect a very young body.
Therefore, doctors often prescribe several drugs with a minimum concentration of antibiotics, recommending combining them . This reduces the risk of adverse reactions.
Terms and conditions of storage
is stored out of the reach of children, at a temperature of +15-25 degrees.
New, unopened Vitabact is stored for 2 years.
If the expiration date has not expired, and white flakes or other impurities are observed in the bottle, the bottle is thrown away and the medicine cannot be used.
An opened bottle can be used for 30 days , after which the drops are disposed of, even if they were dripped into the eyes only once during this time.
Analogues of the drug
Need to know! If it is not possible to buy the drug, the doctor may prescribe similar medications:
- Sulfacyl sodium is a sulfonamide medicine that is very popular in the treatment of eye infections. It is also used for prevention at any age.
- Okomistin is a drop of synthetic origin that contains miramistin. The drug is prescribed to children after the age of three. Good for bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Oftadek is the active component of this medicine, decamethoxin, a powerful antiseptic. It is used for children from one year old, and if necessary, it can be instilled into the nose and ears.
- Sofradex is an antibiotic that is used for viral infections.
- Tobrex is an antibiotic that is indicated for use from birth.
Infectious conjunctivitis
Statistically the leading variant of inflammation of the conjunctiva. Depending on the pathogen, it is divided into subgroups: viral, bacterial, fungal. Moreover, the incidence in children is distributed among these subgroups with approximately equal frequency, while in adults predominantly viral forms are found (over 80%). In the overall structure of morbidity, the proportion of fungal conjunctivitis (ophthalmomycosis) is increasing, which is explained, first of all, by the catastrophically irresponsible and uncontrolled use of antibiotics by the population (when the bacterial flora is suppressed, fungal cultures, including pathogenic ones, are activated).
Drugs for the treatment of viral conjunctivitis
With viral conjunctivitis (it can be caused by influenza viruses, herpes, etc.; in total there are about 40 species dangerous to humans), the main therapeutic goal is to stimulate and intensify the immune response. For this purpose the following are appointed:
- eye drops based on human interferon (Ophthalmoferon, Interferon, etc.);
- drugs that stimulate the production of endogenous, own interferon (Poludan, Tsitovir, Cycloferon);
- eye ointments (Bonafton, Acyclovir, Florenal, etc.);
- according to indications - vasoconstrictor and/or moisturizing drugs (“artificial tears”), similar to Vizin, Oksial, etc.
Drops and ointments for bacterial (purulent) form
For bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotics are prescribed:
- drops (Albucid, Levomitin, Tsipromed, etc.);
- eye ointments (tetracycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, ofloxacin);
- tablet drugs (Doxycycline, Sumamed, Vilprafen, etc.; for chlamydia, Levofloxacin, Lomefloxacin).
Only a specialist can prescribe medications (and their dosage, frequency and duration of use) and evaluate the effectiveness of their use! By contacting our ophthalmology center, you can be sure of an individual approach and high results in the treatment of eye diseases in children and adults.
Treatment of fungal infections (mycoses)
For fungal conjunctivitis (ophthalmomycosis), treatment, as a rule, lasts much longer than for other infectious conjunctivitis, and includes specific antimycotic agents, and antifungal eye drops are practically not produced on an industrial scale in the world - they are prepared extemporaneously (as needed): Fluconazole , Amphotericin et al.
Some cases require additional intake of tablet forms of the antimycotic, as well as the simultaneous use of anti-inflammatory, antihistamine (antiallergic) and antibacterial drops and ointments.
Fig. 3 Eye drops are placed behind the eyelid at night and provide long-lasting effects
Reviews
Margarita
Since birth, the child's eye was very watery and festered . I tried many drugs, on the advice of the doctor. We started with Levomycetin and ended with Tobrex.
It is worth noting that the last drug helped for a while, but soon everything resumed.
After we were prescribed probing of the lacrimal canal, Vitabact was prescribed . My husband bought it and used it as prescribed by the doctor before and after the procedure.
In addition, they told me to drip for 2 more days after the procedure, but just in case I dipped 4, now everything is fine .
Ksenia
My husband’s eyes very often get inflamed , and we had to fight infections with various medications prescribed by doctors, since we don’t use anything on our own.
Vitabact was prescribed at a time when the eye hurt very badly : it turned red, intraocular pressure rose. My husband bought the medicine - I would have passed it by, it’s so dear to us.
But it’s worth it, firstly, the inflammation went away quite quickly , and secondly, the pressure returned to normal. Now we are taking drops for prevention and have completely forgotten about the infection.
