eye drop

At eye drop are drugs that are used on the eye. Eye drops are also called oculoguttae in medicine. Eye ointments are an alternative option.

What are eye drops?

Depending on the type of eye drop their consistency can be either watery or oily. Eye drops usually have a pH value that is similar to the pH value of the eye so as not to irritate the latter.

The European Pharmacopoeia is devoted to the basics of making eye drops; here it is stipulated that the production of eye drops must always be sterile. In Germany, eye drops are only sold in pharmacies, which is why they are only allowed to be sold in pharmacies.

The containers in which the eye drops are located can vary: some eye drops are offered in containers that are only made for single use, while other eye drops are in vials made of special brown glass.

Application, effect & use

eye drop are used for local application. The drug is usually introduced into the conjunctival sac, where it can develop its effect. There are various areas of application for the application of eye drops in medicine:

For example, eye drops are often given to patients who tend to have dry and irritated eyes. In addition, eye drops are sometimes used for the medical treatment of glaucoma (also known as glaucoma). Glaucoma is a collective term for a number of eye diseases, in the context of which there is a breakdown of nerve fibers that affect vision. Medication with eye drops is often the first step in treatment.

The main goal of treatment with eye drops is to lower the eye pressure, which is often associated with glaucoma. Eye drops can also be used to treat conjunctivitis (also known as conjunctivitis) or corneal inflammation (keratitis). If this inflammation is caused by bacteria, eye drops used may contain antibiotic agents, for example.

In addition to their curative (healing) use, eye drops are sometimes used in medicine as a local anesthetic; for example in surgical interventions on the eye.

Herbal, natural & pharmaceutical eye drops

eye dropwhose active ingredients are of a pharmaceutical-chemical nature are available for various problems affecting the eye. The active ingredients contained are also composed accordingly: If the eye drops are intended to combat inflammatory processes, appropriate preparations can contain antibiotic active ingredients, for example. And there are also various eye drops at the pharmaceutical-chemical level for other complaints. Depending on the active ingredients they contain, these eye drops require a prescription.

In addition to eye drops at the pharmaceutical-chemical level, there are also eye drops on the market that contain natural substances for treating problems in the eye. For example, naturopaths recommend eye drops that contain calendula extracts (extracts of marigold) to treat a stye. According to health practitioners, extracts of marigold in eye drops have antibacterial and wound healing properties.

In homeopathy, eye drops are used whose active ingredients are potentiated to different degrees. It is assumed that active ingredients have a greater effect the higher they are potentiated. The remedy that is administered to an affected person with the help of eye drops and the corresponding potency of the remedy depend on the constitution and symptoms of the individual.

In order to moisten eyes that are dry from wearing contact lenses or heating air, for example, eye drops are also available in pharmacies that are only moisturizing and do not contain drugs.

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Risks & side effects

The different forms of eye drop carry the risk of intolerance in those affected when used. This is the case both with eye drops that contain pharmaceutical-chemical active ingredients and with eye drops that contain natural active ingredients.

Corresponding intolerances can be expressed, for example, in reddening of the eyes, in itching or in tearing. In the case of homeopathic eye drops, homeopaths advise against self-medication, since, for example, highly potent or individually unsuitable active ingredients can have a negative effect on the eye.

Eye drops with pharmaceutically and chemically active ingredients often also contain preservatives. According to experts, some of these preservatives should not get into the bloodstream, so that the use of appropriate eye drops is not recommended if the eye is injured, for example. The same can also apply to applications during pregnancy or breastfeeding.