956
A P P E N D I X D
Ophthalmic agents
■
■
Provide comfort measures to help the person
tolerate drug effects
(e.g. control light, administer
analgesics as needed).
■
■
Include the following information—in addition
to the proper administration technique for the
drug—in the teaching program for the person
to improve compliance and provide safety and
comfort measures as necessary
: safety measures
may need to be taken if blurring of vision should
occur; burning and stinging may occur on
administration but should pass quickly; the pupils
will dilate with mydriatic agents and the eyes may
become very sensitive to light (the use of sunglasses
is recommended); any severe eye discomfort,
palpitations, nausea or headache should be
reported to the healthcare provider.
Evaluation
■
■
Monitor response to the drug (changes in pupil
size, relief of pressure of glaucoma, relief of itching
and tearing related to allergic reaction).
■
■
Monitor for adverse effects (local irritation,
blurring of vision, headache).
■
■
Evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching plan
(person can name adverse effects to watch for
and specific measures to avoid them; the person
understands the importance of the follow-up that
will be needed).
■
■
Monitor the effectiveness of comfort measures and
compliance with the regimen.
FIGURE D.1
Administration of ophthalmic drops.
FIGURE D.2
Administration of ophthalmic ointment.
■■
TABLE D Ophthalmic agents (continued)
Drug
Usage
Special considerations
aciclovir (Zovirax
Ophthalmic Ointment)
Treatment of ocular herpes simplex
One cm into lower conjunctival sac five times
daily for 14 days
apraclonidine (Iopidine)
To control or prevent postsurgical
elevations of intraocular pressure
(IOP) after argon-laser eye surgery
Monitor for the possibility of vasovagal attack;
do not give to individuals with allergy to
clonidine
atropine (Atropt)
Conditions necessitating pupil
dilation and paralysis of
accommodation
One drop into the eye as needed. Apply gentle
pressure to tear duct for 1 minute following
administration
azelastine (HCl) (Eyezep)
Treatment of ocular itching
associated with allergic
conjunctivitis
Antihistamine, mast cell stabiliser; dosage
(≥3 years): 1 drop b.d.; rapid onset, 8-hours
duration
betaxolol (Betoptic,
Betoquin)
Reduction of IOP with chronic
open-angle glaucoma, ocular
hypertension
One drop b.d.; may take up to 2 weeks to see
results; do not combine with beta-adrenergics
bimatoprost (Lumigan)
Reduction of IOP in individuals with
open-angle glaucoma or ocular
hypertension
Used for people who are intolerant to other
IOP-lowering drugs or who have failed to
achieve optimum IOP with other IOP-lowering
medications
brimonidine tartrate
(Alphagan, Alphagan P,
Enidin)
Treatment of open-angle glaucoma
and ocular hypertension
Selective alpha
2
-antagonist; minimal effects on
cardiovascular and pulmonary systems; do
not use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors;
dosage: one drop t.d.s.
brimonidine with timolol
(Combigan)
Treatment of IOP
One drop to the affected eye q 12 hours; do not
use with contact lenses
