List of Eye Care Medications

Eye medications are used to diagnose, treat and prevent eye diseases. Most eye medicines need a prescription. However, artificial tears (to lubricate the eye) and ocular decongestants (to decrease redness) are available as over-the-counter eye drops. Eye drops and ointments are the most common ways to medicate the eye. Other routes of administration are oral (tablets, capsules, liquids), intravenous and local injections ("shots" around the eye).

Why Are Eye Medications Needed?

The most common therapeutic uses for eye medications include glaucoma, eye infections, allergy and inflammation (redness) of the eye. Eye drops are also used for diagnostic purposes to enlarge the pupils or to dye the ocular surface for eye examinations. Additionally, there are anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye. These are used for some diagnostic tests or for removing foreign objects from the cornea (the clear protective outer coat of the eye).

Side Effects

Side effects in the eye-Eye drops can cause ocular side effects such as redness, stinging, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and narrowing of the pupils. A class of anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids may cause cataracts, glaucoma and eye infections with prolonged use. Therefore, use these medicines only as your ophthalmologist prescribes. In rare cases ocular decongestant drops can cause a type of acute glaucoma. If you have a red, painful eye after using these drops, call your eye doctor right away. Ocular side effects also can occur from medicines used orally for conditions other than eye diseases. Side effects in other parts of the body - Some eye drops can cause headaches or even systemic side effects, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea and sweating. Although most systemic side effects resulting from drops are mild, severe reactions can occur. The beta-blocker agents for glaucoma treatment may cause adverse reactions. These include slowing of the heart rate, asthma attacks, decrease in blood pressure, disorientation, loss of memory and loss of sex drive. Eye care medications to buy online