Integrated & Community Services - Atropine therapy for Amblyopia

Orthoptic Department Children’s services

Telephone: 0161 206 6217/0161 206 3826

Email: SRFT.orthoptics@nca.nhs.uk

Why does my child need treatment?

Treatment is advised when the vision in one eye is reduced (lazy eye, amblyopia). The eye may be occluded with a patch or blurred using atropine drops.

How does atropine therapy work?

A drop of atropine is put into your child’s good eye - this dilates the pupil and blurs the vision. This makes your child’s weaker eye (lazy eye) work harder to encourage the vision to improve.

How do I use the drops?

Put one drop of atropine into your child’s Right Eye/Left Eye (please delete)     times per week

On the following days:     

Steps for safe instillation:

• Always wash yours and your child’s hands before and after using the drops.
• Gently pull down the lower eyelid with your finger.
• Put one drop of atropine in the space between the lower eyelid and the eyeball. Release the lower eyelid. Do not touch the eyeball with the applicator tip.
• Gently press on the inner corner of the eye for up to one minute with a tissue. This helps to prevent the drop from draining into the nose and being swallowed.

These steps should be followed every time the drop is installed whether your child is awake or asleep.

When will my child be seen again?

Your child will be seen again in     weeks.

Does my child still need to wear their glasses?

Yes. It is important that your child continues to wear their glasses all the time to give the weaker eye the best chance to improve.

What are the side effects?

As with most medicines some side effects may occur. The risk of side effects is prevented by safe instillation of the drop.

Children with heart problems or asthma should not use this medicine.

The most common side effect is that your child may be more sensitive to light due to the larger pupil letting more light into their eye.Your child may want to wear a hat or sunglasses to make them more comfortable in bright light.

Please read the pharmacy information you receive with your eye drops.
 
Do not use the eye drops if the eye is irritated or infected.

There are reported potential side effects:

• Restlessness/Hyperactivity/Irritability
• Eye irritation or swelling/Conjunctivitis
• Redness/skin rash
• Dryness of skin or mouth
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Irregular or fast heartbeat
• Urinary retention/constipation

If any of the above occurs, stop using the drops immediately and seek advice from us or your child’s GP/Pharmacy/NHS 111 service.

If a serious reaction occurs please attend A&E.

Points to remember:

• Do not use atropine after the expiry date. Please dispose of any unused or expired Atropine at your local pharmacy or return it to us
• Store in a dry place at room temperature. Atropine does not need to be stored in the fridge
• Keep away from strong sunlight
• Atropine eye drops are only to be used in the eyes. Do not swallow. If you swallow atropine eye drops then seek immediate medical help
• KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN
• The atropine has been issued for your child and should not be given to any other person
• Inform your child’s school about the use of the drops as this will blur their vision and dilate their pupil
• If you miss an appointment, please telephone for another appointment as soon as possible
• Please ensure that any doctor or dentist treating your child is aware that atropine is being used. We will write to your GP and inform them your child is using Atropine

If you have any concerns or questions you can contact the Orthoptics department on 0161 206 6217 or 0161 206 3826 Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm.

Appointment attendance

We are striving to reduce the number of missed appointments. It is vital to your child’s treatment that all appointments are attended. If you are unable to attend your appointment please contact the Children’s Service Admin Team on 0161 206 3826 as soon as possible so that an alternative can be arranged. Failure to attend may result in your child being discharged.