Eye drops that dilate the pupil: instructions for use. Drops "Tropicamide. Pupil dilation medications Drops that enlarge pupils


In order to start treating eye diseases, you must first diagnose them. In addition to the applied instrumental methods, often use drugs to prepare the eyes for examination. The group of these medicines includes eye drops that dilate the pupils and are called mydriatics in ophthalmology. Without these drops, it is almost impossible to diagnose many eye diseases. These drugs are also used to treat various ailments. Indications for the use of drops that dilate the pupil, types of drugs and the duration of their action.

What are midriatics for?

Let's first define what the pupil of the eye is. There is a hole in the iris of the eye, which is called the pupil. Through this hole, light enters the eye, which then enters the retinal membrane. The pupil changes in size not only under the influence of mydriatics, but also due to lack of illumination or, conversely, due to too bright illumination and other circumstances. In some cases, the pupil tries to protect the eye, for example, when very bright flashes Sveta. The size of the pupil is regulated by 2 muscles of the iris:

Radial, which, depending on the situation, dilates the pupil. This eye muscle is controlled sympathetic nerves; Circular- this muscle, on the contrary, narrows it, and parasympathetic nerves control it.

Pupil dilating drops are used to solve two problems:

Diagnostics. Without the use of mydriatics, it is almost impossible to conduct a qualitative study of the fundus for diagnosing characteristic diseases such as retinal detachment. Moreover, visual acuity can only be determined by blocking the eye muscles that give spasms, for which mydriatics are used. When selecting glasses, the patient is also instilled with these drops; Treatment. Mydriatics are used in the treatment of various inflammations of the eyes and during certain operations.

Types of eye drops to dilate the pupil and the duration of their action

Midriatics are divided into 2 varieties:

Direct capable of contracting the radial muscles. These include the drugs Irifrin and Phenylephrine; Indirect affecting circular muscle by reducing the intensity of its contractions. These drugs can both dilate the pupils and stimulate the adjustment of the focus of the eye. Used, for example, for spasms of accommodation. This group of drugs includes Cyclomed, Tropicamide, Midrum.

Each drug differs in its duration of action, with the exception of drops used for diagnosis, which operate for several hours. This is enough to examine the eye and identify the disease. By the way, mydriatics last longer if a person is light-eyed than when a person has dark eyes. Newborn babies born ahead of time, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, the pupils instill less strong drugs than in adults.

Mydriatics used for treatment last much longer than drugs used to identify the disease - for the full course of fighting the disease. In some cases, the patient experiences discomfort, moreover, if there is a bright light and when under the bright sun, tearing is likely.

Overview of mydriatics

From some medicines that dilate the pupils, medicine decided to abandon, and some, on the contrary, are used in ophthalmology more and more often.

Atropine. Women who lived 1-2 centuries ago used Atropine to impress men. This drug dilated the pupils, due to which the eyes became expressive and languid. In Soviet times, Atropine was also quite widely used, however, modern experts have actually stopped using and recommending this remedy because of its many shortcomings. The main disadvantages are: high toxicity of the substance, many contraindications and long-term effect. Atropine can act for a day or two or a whole week, and in some cases up to 10 days. The action of this remedy is accompanied by a deterioration in vision and discomfort for a certain time. Although Atropine increases the pupils, it is not recommended to use this drug on your own, without the supervision and prescription of a doctor. Midriacil.This drug is also called Topikamid and Midrum in a different way. The drug begins to act approximately 15 minutes after instillation and lasts no more than three hours. That is why the functions of the eye are restored quite quickly. Topicamide is recommended for use by both adults and children. With all the advantages of this drug, care must be taken when using drops during inflammatory processes in eyeball or if there is increased intraocular pressure. Irifrin. It is used for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, despite the fact that the duration of the action of the drops is short. The drug reduces intraocular pressure - in medicinal purposes also used. Contraindicated in children under 12 years of age and the elderly, suffering from problems with the heart and cerebral vessels. Cyclomed. The tool is one of the most popular, the action of which lasts for 6-12 hours. It happens that patients confuse the drug with Tsipromed, an antibiotic, but Cyclomed has nothing to do with antibiotics. Therefore, this medicine is recommended even for lactating and pregnant women. It is contraindicated for children under the age of three years, as well as for the elderly. There are other contraindications to the appointment of Cyclomed: adenoma and intestinal obstruction. Mezaton. Like other eye drops that dilate the pupils, the drug has some contraindications, including: atherosclerosis, lactation, pregnancy, hypertension, pancreatitis, hepatitis. Appamida plus. The medicine is fast-acting, begins to act in fact five minutes after instillation, and ceases to act after 2 hours. Drops are contraindicated in children, pregnant and lactating women. It is also not prescribed for diabetes, arrhythmia, thyrotoxicosis and angina pectoris.

It should be noted that in glaucoma, any medicines dilating pupils.

Pupil dilation at home

It is not necessary to use drops to dilate the pupils. There are other ways that are based on the physiology of the eye. In order to expand the pupils, close your eyes, imagine that you are now in a dark place. According to scientists, the pupils become larger for a while.

One way to expand the pupil of the eye: you can choose a distant object and try to focus on it, or, on the contrary, defocus your eyes so that everything around is blurry. You will feel as your eyes relax. At home, this is not difficult to do, but it is impossible to follow the result yourself, so ask someone to watch this process or record everything on a video camera.

You can also achieve what you want if you are in a bright room and look at a relatively darker part of the room. In this case, the eye tries to capture and transmit light, resulting in the expansion of the pupils.

From the side of physiology, the mechanism of this method has not yet been explained, but some argue that the expansion of the pupils can be achieved by drawing in the stomach. In this case, the muscles should tighten.

Pupil dilation can also be achieved with the help of thoughts that increase adrenaline. In reality, it is not worth living through a situation leading to pupil dilation, because. it's hard to do it at home. This situation needs to be imagined.

Conclusion

It is impossible to prescribe drugs for yourself without undergoing an examination in any case. Only non-drug methods can be used. They are effective for a short period of time and at the same time can not harm your health.

Before eye diseases can be treated, they must be diagnosed. For this, not only instrumental methods are often used, but also preparations that allow you to prepare the eyes for examination. Among such medications are eye drops that dilate the pupils. In ophthalmology they are called mydriatics.

Some eye problems are nearly impossible to diagnose without these medications. Medicines of the same purpose are also used to combat various ailments.


The pupil is a hole in the iris of the eye through which light enters, refracts, and then hits retina. Pupil size can change not only when special drops are used, but also depending on light and other circumstances.

Its size is regulated by two muscles of the iris:

Radial. She is responsible for the expansion of the pupil; Circular. This muscle contributes to its narrowing.

The radial muscle is controlled by sympathetic nerves, and the circular muscle is controlled by parasympathetic nerves.

Drops are used to dilate the pupils for two main purposes:

Diagnostics. Without the use of mydriatics, it is almost impossible to examine the fundus in order to diagnose diseases such as, for example, retinal detachment. At the same time, visual acuity can be determined only by blocking the eye muscles that give spasms. This is what drugs for this purpose do. In addition, drops are used when the patient needs to pick up glasses; Treatment. With the help of mydriatics, various inflammations of the eyes are treated, they are used in a number of operations.

There are two types of midriatics:

Direct. These medications help contract the radial muscle. These include drugs such as Irifrin, Phenylephrine; Indirect. They affect the circular muscle, reducing the intensity of its contractions. Such drugs can not only dilate the pupils, but also stimulate the adjustment of the focus of the eye. They are used, in particular, for spasm of accommodation. Among such medicines are "Tropikamid", "Cyclomed", "Midrum".

The duration of action of each drug is different, but the drops used for diagnosis are valid for several hours. This is enough to examine the eyeball and make a diagnosis. It is known that in light-eyed people, the effect of mydriatics lasts somewhat longer than in owners of dark eyes. To make a diagnosis for newborn children and babies born prematurely, the pupils are instilled with less intense preparations than adults.

Mydriatics used for treatment retain their effect much longer than medicines used to determine the disease - throughout the entire period of the fight against the disease. In some cases, this brings discomfort to the patient, and in bright light and while under direct sunbeams tearing may occur.

Some drugs that dilate the pupils are used more often in ophthalmology, and medicine chose to abandon the use of some of them altogether.

The fairer sex, who lived a couple of centuries ago, knew how to attract the attention of men - for this you need to dilate the pupils so that the eyes look languid and expressive.

For this they used "Atropine". The drug was also widely used in Soviet ophthalmology, but modern specialists have practically abandoned this medication due to its many shortcomings.

The main ones include:

High toxicity of drops; A large number of contraindications; Long lasting. The effect of "Atropine" can last from several days to a week, and in some cases up to 10 days. Its action is accompanied by discomfort and deterioration of vision for a certain period.

Despite the fact that these drops increase the pupils, they should not be used, especially on their own, without the appointment and supervision of a doctor.

The drug has other names - "Topikamid", "Midrum". Its action begins about a quarter of an hour after instillation, and the effect disappears after a few hours (no more than 3). Thanks to this function, the eyes are quickly restored. "Midrum" can be used for both adults and children.

Nevertheless, caution should be exercised when using it if there are leaks in the eyeball inflammatory processes or increased intraocular pressure.

It is used both for the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease, despite the fact that the duration of its action is short. The medicine is able to reduce intraocular pressure, which is also used for medicinal purposes.

It is not used to treat children under the age of 12, and people aged who have problems with the heart and cerebral vessels.

This is one of the most commonly used drugs, the duration of which is 6-12 hours. Sometimes patients confuse it with "Tsipromed" - an antibiotic, but this medication does not belong to this category. In this regard, it is prescribed to pregnant and lactating women.

It is contraindicated in children who are not yet 3 years old, and people aged.

There are other contraindications to its appointment:

Intestinal obstruction; Adenoma.

Like many other pupil dilating drops, it has a number of contraindications.

Their list includes:

Atherosclerosis; Hepatitis; Pregnancy, lactation; pancreatitis; Hypertension.

Drops belong to fast-acting drugs. They begin to act literally 5 minutes after instillation, and stop - after a couple of hours. These drops are contraindicated for children, as well as for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Do not prescribe it in such cases:

angina; Diabetes; Arrhythmia; thyrotoxicosis.

Any drug that dilates the pupil is contraindicated in glaucoma.

To achieve this effect, it is not necessary to apply drops.

There are other ways to expand the pupils based on their physiological characteristics.

Close your eyes and imagine that you are in a dark room or area. Studies show that pupils become larger for a while; Choose a distant object and try to focus your eyes on it. You can try to apply reverse method- defocus your eyes in such a way that everything seems blurry before your eyes. As you do this, you should feel your eyes relax. At home, this is not difficult to do, but you yourself will not be able to track what results you have achieved, so ask someone to watch you or film your experiment on a video camera; When you are in a bright room, move your gaze to a darker part of it. The eye will try to catch and pass the light, which will lead to the expansion of the pupils; The mechanism of this method has not yet been explained in terms of physiology, but some people claim that this effect can be achieved by drawing in the stomach. The muscles should tense at the same time; The same result is brought by thoughts of something that makes adrenaline rise. Living in reality a situation that can lead to pupil dilation is not worth it, because it is difficult to do this at home. It just needs to be imagined.

In no case do not prescribe drugs for yourself without undergoing an examination and without consulting a doctor, but do not try medical methods can. They will give a short-term effect, but they will not be able to harm your health.

eye medicines

Drops for dilating pupils

Why are pupil dilation drops needed?

Drops for dilating pupils - mydriatics - are used to increase the diameter of the pupil of the eye

Pupil dilation drops, mydriatics, are used to dilate the pupil of the eye.

There are two types of drops:

Some cause muscle contraction, which increases the diameter of the pupil ("Phenylephrine", "Irifrin"). These are direct midriatics. Other drops relax the muscle that narrows the diameter of the pupil and the muscle that adjusts the focus of the eye. These are indirect midriatics. Such eye drops that dilate the pupil are prescribed, including for the treatment of a condition such as accommodation spasm.

When is pupillary dilation necessary?

The dilated pupil helps the doctor examine the internal structures of the eye for diagnosis.

The dilated pupil helps the doctor in the diagnosis to examine the internal structures of the eye (the lens, the retina and its vessels, the optic nerve). In addition, drops to relax the muscle that focuses the image help to avoid mistakes when choosing glasses for children.

Drops for pupil dilation are also used to treat some eye diseases such as amblyopia, accommodation spasm and inflammatory diseases eyes.

How long do eye drops work to dilate pupils?

In people with bright eyes the effect of expanding drops lasts longer than in people with dark color eye

Eye drops for pupil dilation, which are used to examine the fundus, they usually last 3-4 hours, then their effect begins to fade. In people with light eyes, the effect of expanding drops lasts longer than in brown-eyed people.

More weak drops used to examine newborns and premature babies.

This is what a moderately dilated pupil looks like

When drops for dilating the pupils are prescribed for medicinal purposes, the effect of their action persists throughout the course of treatment. In such cases, there may be strong feeling discomfort and tearing in the sun or in bright light.

Usually, in the treatment of spasm of accommodation for children and adolescents, drops that relieve spasm and dilate the pupil are prescribed 1 time per day at bedtime. These drops in a pharmacy are issued by prescription from an ophthalmologist.

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Eye drops to dilate the pupils are used in two cases. First, to diagnose ophthalmic disorders. Secondly, for the purpose of therapeutic and prophylactic effects.

The pupil is a dark opening in the iris of the eye, the diameter of which depends on the amount and strength of the penetrating light. Light rays penetrate deep into the pupil, where they are refracted and reflected on the retina. In dim light, the pupil dilates reflexively. The work of the pupil is provided by the radial and circular muscles of the iris. They, in turn, are controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, respectively.

drugs, causing effect dilated pupils are called mydriatics. For diagnostic purposes, using eye drops to dilate the pupil makes it easier for the doctor to examine the fundus and identify, for example, retinal detachment. Also, thanks to these tools, by blocking the eye muscles, it is possible to determine the visual acuity of the patient, which in turn is a necessary condition for the selection of ophthalmic accessories.

Read also:

In the treatment of mydriatics, they are used to prepare the organ for surgery, as well as for various inflammations.


All mydriatic drugs are divided into 2 groups: direct and indirect action. The former are designed to stimulate the contractility of the radial muscle, the latter - reduce the intensity of contractions of the circular muscle. Here are some names for pupil dilation drops:

  1. Atropine is a potent drug, has a number of contraindications, has a duration of effect, it is advisable not to use it without a prescription.
  2. Midriacil (Midrum, Tropicamide) - the effect appears after half an hour, lasts no more than 3 hours. Not recommended for eye pressure and the presence of inflammatory processes.
  3. Irifrin is a therapeutic and prophylactic agent that reduces intraocular pressure. Not allowed for use in children under 12 years of age, elderly people suffering from diseases of the heart and blood vessels of the brain.
  4. Cyclomed is the most commonly used long-acting drug. Restricted use: young children, the elderly.
  5. Mezaton - it is desirable to use according to the recipe.
  6. Apamide plus - high-speed, transient effect. It has a number of serious contraindications.

All drops for dilating pupils are contraindicated in glaucoma. When a doctor has prescribed a drug for you, be sure to read the instructions before use, especially the sections on dosage, contraindications and side effects.


Depending on the purpose for which eye drops are used that expand the pupil, one or another drug is selected. So, for example, for the diagnosis of the fundus, Tropicamide is used, the duration of which does not exceed 3 hours. For comprehensive examination in order to select glasses, as well as in the first study of refraction in children and adolescents, drugs are used that cause prolonged cycloplegia (drug paralysis of accommodation). The time of action of Cyclomed - drops for pupil dilation - up to 12 hours, and Atropine - at least 1-2 days. In some cases, the action of Atropine may persist for a longer period (more than a week), which significantly affects the comfort and sharpness of visual function.

Drugs prescribed for therapeutic purposes retain a feeling of discomfort throughout the course of therapy. The patient was advised to refrain from driving for the duration of the treatment. vehicle, work less at the computer, read less, watch TV. That is less strain on the organs of vision. Persistently dilated pupils make the eyes sensitive to bright light, which can cause tearing. It is best to bury your eyes in the evening before going to bed.

If only one eye is treated, accommodation blockage can cause a disorder. binocular vision: double vision, nausea, dizziness. In order to get rid of discomfort, it is possible to use an impenetrable gauze bandage approximately.

In order to start treating eye diseases, you must first diagnose them. In addition to the instrumental methods used, preparations are often used to prepare the eyes for examination. The group of these medicines includes eye drops that dilate the pupils and are called mydriatics in ophthalmology. Without these drops, it is almost impossible to diagnose many eye diseases. These medicines are also used to treat various ailments. Indications for the use of drops that dilate the pupil, types of drugs and the duration of their action.

What are midriatics for?

Let's first define what the pupil of the eye is. There is a hole in the iris of the eye, which is called the pupil. Through this hole, light enters the eye, which then enters the retinal membrane. The pupil changes in size not only under the influence of mydriatics, but also due to lack of illumination or, conversely, due to too bright illumination and other circumstances. In some cases, the pupil tries to protect the eye, such as in very bright flashes of light. The size of the pupil is regulated by 2 muscles of the iris:

Radial, which, depending on the situation, dilates the pupil. This eye muscle is controlled by sympathetic nerves; Circular- this muscle, on the contrary, narrows it, and parasympathetic nerves control it.

Pupil dilating drops are used to solve two problems:

Diagnostics. Without the use of mydriatics, it is almost impossible to conduct a qualitative examination of the fundus to diagnose characteristic diseases, such as, for example, retinal detachment. Moreover, visual acuity can only be determined by blocking the eye muscles that give spasms, for which mydriatics are used. When selecting glasses, the patient is also instilled with these drops; Treatment. Mydriatics are used in the treatment of various inflammations of the eyes and during certain operations.

Types of eye drops to dilate the pupil and the duration of their action

Midriatics are divided into 2 varieties:

Direct capable of contracting the radial muscles. These include the drugs Irifrin and Phenylephrine; Indirect that affect the circular muscle by reducing the intensity of its contractions. These drugs can both dilate the pupils and stimulate the adjustment of the focus of the eye. Used, for example, for spasms of accommodation. This group of drugs includes Cyclomed, Tropicamide, Midrum.

Each drug differs in its duration of action, with the exception of drops used for diagnosis, which operate for several hours. This is enough to examine the eye and identify the disease. By the way, mydriatics last longer if a person is light-eyed than when a person has dark eyes. For newborn babies born prematurely, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, the pupils are instilled with less powerful drugs than in adults.

Mydriatics used for treatment last much longer than drugs used to identify the disease - for the full course of fighting the disease. In some cases, the patient experiences discomfort, moreover, if there is a bright light and when under the bright sun, tearing is likely.

Overview of mydriatics

From some medicines that dilate the pupils, medicine decided to abandon, and some, on the contrary, are used in ophthalmology more and more often.

Atropine. Women who lived 1-2 centuries ago used Atropine to impress men. This drug dilated the pupils, due to which the eyes became expressive and languid. In Soviet times, Atropine was also quite widely used, however, modern experts have actually stopped using and recommending this remedy because of its many shortcomings. The main disadvantages are: high toxicity of the substance, many contraindications and long-term effect. Atropine can act for a day or two or a whole week, and in some cases up to 10 days. The action of this remedy is accompanied by a deterioration in vision and discomfort for a certain time. Although Atropine increases the pupils, it is not recommended to use this drug on your own, without the supervision and prescription of a doctor. Midriacil.This drug is also called Topikamid and Midrum in a different way. The drug begins to act approximately 15 minutes after instillation and lasts no more than three hours. That is why the functions of the eye are restored quite quickly. Topicamide is recommended for use by both adults and children. With all the advantages of this drug, care must be taken when using drops during inflammatory processes in the eyeball or if there is increased intraocular pressure. Irifrin. It is used for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, despite the fact that the duration of the action of the drops is short. The tool reduces intraocular pressure - it is also used for medicinal purposes. Contraindicated in children under 12 years of age and the elderly, suffering from problems with the heart and cerebral vessels. Cyclomed. The tool is one of the most popular, the action of which lasts for 6-12 hours. It happens that patients confuse the drug with Tsipromed, an antibiotic, but Cyclomed has nothing to do with antibiotics. Therefore, this medicine is recommended even for lactating and pregnant women. It is contraindicated for children under the age of three years, as well as for the elderly. There are other contraindications to the appointment of Cyclomed: adenoma and intestinal obstruction. Mezaton. Like other eye drops that dilate the pupils, the drug has some contraindications, including: atherosclerosis, lactation, pregnancy, hypertension, pancreatitis, hepatitis. Appamida plus. The medicine is fast-acting, begins to act in fact five minutes after instillation, and ceases to act after 2 hours. Drops are contraindicated in children, pregnant and lactating women. It is also not prescribed for diabetes, arrhythmia, thyrotoxicosis and angina pectoris.

It should be noted that with glaucoma, any drugs that dilate the pupils are contraindicated for use.

Pupil dilation at home

It is not necessary to use drops to dilate the pupils. There are other ways that are based on the physiology of the eye. In order to expand the pupils, close your eyes, imagine that you are now in a dark place. According to scientists, the pupils become larger for a while.

One way to expand the pupil of the eye: you can choose a distant object and try to focus on it, or, on the contrary, defocus your eyes so that everything around is blurry. You will feel as your eyes relax. At home, this is not difficult to do, but it is impossible to follow the result yourself, so ask someone to watch this process or record everything on a video camera.

You can also achieve what you want if you are in a bright room and look at a relatively darker part of the room. In this case, the eye tries to capture and transmit light, resulting in the expansion of the pupils.

From the side of physiology, the mechanism of this method has not yet been explained, but some argue that the expansion of the pupils can be achieved by drawing in the stomach. In this case, the muscles should tighten.

Pupil dilation can also be achieved with the help of thoughts that increase adrenaline. In reality, it is not worth living through a situation leading to pupil dilation, because. it's hard to do it at home. This situation needs to be imagined.

Conclusion

It is impossible to prescribe drugs for yourself without undergoing an examination in any case. Only non-drug methods can be used. They are effective for a short period of time and at the same time can not harm your health.

eye medicines

Drops for dilating pupils


Why are pupil dilation drops needed?

Drops for dilating pupils - mydriatics - are used to increase the diameter of the pupil of the eye

Pupil dilation drops, mydriatics, are used to dilate the pupil of the eye.

There are two types of drops:

Some cause muscle contraction, which increases the diameter of the pupil ("Phenylephrine", "Irifrin"). These are direct midriatics. Other drops relax the muscle that narrows the diameter of the pupil and the muscle that adjusts the focus of the eye. These are indirect midriatics. Such eye drops that dilate the pupil are prescribed, including for the treatment of a condition such as accommodation spasm.

When is pupillary dilation necessary?

The dilated pupil helps the doctor examine the internal structures of the eye for diagnosis.

The dilated pupil helps the doctor in the diagnosis to examine the internal structures of the eye (the lens, the retina and its vessels, the optic nerve). In addition, drops to relax the muscle that focuses the image help to avoid mistakes when choosing glasses for children.

Drops for dilating the pupils are also used to treat certain eye diseases, such as amblyopia, accommodation spasm and inflammatory diseases of the eye.

How long do eye drops work to dilate pupils?

In people with light eyes, the effect of dilating drops lasts longer than in people with dark eyes.

Eye drops for dilating the pupil, which are used to examine the fundus, usually work for 3-4 hours, then their effect begins to fade. In people with light eyes, the effect of expanding drops lasts longer than in brown-eyed people.

Weaker drops are used to examine newborns and premature babies.

This is what a moderately dilated pupil looks like

When drops for dilating the pupils are prescribed for medicinal purposes, the effect of their action persists throughout the course of treatment. In such cases, there may be a strong feeling of discomfort and tearing in the sun or in bright light.

Usually, in the treatment of spasm of accommodation for children and adolescents, drops that relieve spasm and dilate the pupil are prescribed 1 time per day at bedtime. These drops in a pharmacy are issued by prescription from an ophthalmologist.

Related links "Pupil dilation drops"

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Before eye diseases can be treated, they must be diagnosed. For this, not only instrumental methods are often used, but also preparations that allow you to prepare the eyes for examination. Among such medications are eye drops that dilate the pupils. In ophthalmology they are called mydriatics.

Some eye problems are nearly impossible to diagnose without these medications. Medicines of the same purpose are also used to combat various ailments.

The pupil is a hole in the iris of the eye through which light enters, is refracted, and then enters the retina. Pupil size can change not only when special drops are used, but also depending on light and other circumstances.

Its size is regulated by two muscles of the iris:

Radial. She is responsible for the expansion of the pupil; Circular. This muscle contributes to its narrowing.

The radial muscle is controlled by sympathetic nerves, and the circular muscle is controlled by parasympathetic nerves.

Drops are used to dilate the pupils for two main purposes:

Diagnostics. Without the use of mydriatics, it is almost impossible to examine the fundus in order to diagnose diseases such as, for example, retinal detachment. At the same time, visual acuity can be determined only by blocking the eye muscles that give spasms. This is what drugs for this purpose do. In addition, drops are used when the patient needs to pick up glasses; Treatment. With the help of mydriatics, various inflammations of the eyes are treated, they are used in a number of operations.

There are two types of midriatics:

Direct. These medications help contract the radial muscle. These include drugs such as Irifrin, Phenylephrine; Indirect. They affect the circular muscle, reducing the intensity of its contractions. Such drugs can not only dilate the pupils, but also stimulate the adjustment of the focus of the eye. They are used, in particular, for spasm of accommodation. Among such medicines are "Tropikamid", "Cyclomed", "Midrum".

The duration of action of each drug is different, but the drops used for diagnosis are valid for several hours. This is enough to examine the eyeball and make a diagnosis. It is known that in light-eyed people, the effect of mydriatics lasts somewhat longer than in owners of dark eyes. To make a diagnosis for newborn children and babies born prematurely, the pupils are instilled with less intense preparations than adults.

Mydriatics used for treatment retain their effect much longer than medicines used to determine the disease - throughout the entire period of the fight against the disease. In some cases, this brings discomfort to the patient, and in bright light and while in direct sunlight, tearing may occur.

Some drugs that dilate the pupils are used more often in ophthalmology, and medicine chose to abandon the use of some of them altogether.

The fairer sex, who lived a couple of centuries ago, knew how to attract the attention of men - for this you need to dilate the pupils so that the eyes look languid and expressive.

For this they used "Atropine". The drug was also widely used in Soviet ophthalmology, but modern specialists have practically abandoned this medication due to its many shortcomings.

The main ones include:

High toxicity of drops; A large number of contraindications; Long-term action. The effect of "Atropine" can last from several days to a week, and in some cases up to 10 days. Its action is accompanied by discomfort and deterioration of vision for a certain period.

Despite the fact that these drops increase the pupils, they should not be used, especially on their own, without the appointment and supervision of a doctor.

The drug has other names - "Topikamid", "Midrum". Its action begins about a quarter of an hour after instillation, and the effect disappears after a few hours (no more than 3). Thanks to this function, the eyes are quickly restored. "Midrum" can be used for both adults and children.

Nevertheless, caution should be exercised when using it if inflammatory processes occur in the eyeball or intraocular pressure is increased.

It is used both for the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease, despite the fact that the duration of its action is short. The medicine is able to reduce intraocular pressure, which is also used for medicinal purposes.

It is not used to treat children under the age of 12, and people aged who have problems with the heart and cerebral vessels.

This is one of the most commonly used drugs, the duration of which is 6-12 hours. Sometimes patients confuse it with "Tsipromed" - an antibiotic, but this medication does not belong to this category. In this regard, it is prescribed to pregnant and lactating women.

It is contraindicated in children who are not yet 3 years old, and people aged.

There are other contraindications to its appointment:

Intestinal obstruction; Adenoma.

Like many other pupil dilating drops, it has a number of contraindications.

Their list includes:

Atherosclerosis; Hepatitis; Pregnancy, lactation; pancreatitis; Hypertension.

Drops are fast-acting medicines. They begin to act literally 5 minutes after instillation, and stop - after a couple of hours. These drops are contraindicated for children, as well as for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Do not prescribe it in such cases:

angina; Diabetes; Arrhythmia; thyrotoxicosis.

Any drug that dilates the pupil is contraindicated in glaucoma.

To achieve this effect, it is not necessary to apply drops.

There are other ways to expand the pupils based on their physiological characteristics.

Close your eyes and imagine that you are in a dark room or area. Studies show that pupils become larger for a while; Choose a distant object and try to focus your eyes on it. You can try to apply the reverse method - defocus your eyes in such a way that everything seems blurry before your eyes. As you do this, you should feel your eyes relax. At home, this is not difficult to do, but you yourself will not be able to track what results you have achieved, so ask someone to watch you or film your experiment on a video camera; When you are in a bright room, move your gaze to a darker part of it. The eye will try to catch and pass the light, which will lead to the expansion of the pupils; The mechanism of this method has not yet been explained in terms of physiology, but some people claim that this effect can be achieved by drawing in the stomach. The muscles should tense at the same time; The same result is brought by thoughts of something that makes adrenaline rise. Living in reality a situation that can lead to pupil dilation is not worth it, because it is difficult to do this at home. It just needs to be imagined.

In no case do not prescribe medications for yourself without undergoing an examination and without consulting a doctor, but you can try non-drug methods. They will give a short-term effect, but they will not be able to harm your health.

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If a person had to deal with violations visual functions and to be examined by an ophthalmologist, most likely, he knows that the fundus of the eye is examined to make an accurate diagnosis. The procedure is performed using special equipment and specific drugs that have a dilating effect on the pupil. Drops for dilating pupils are used primarily for diagnostic purposes, but are also prescribed as remedy with some diseases. Eye drops of such an action are not safe, they give a number of side effects, so it is important to know exactly who, which ones, at what dosage they are dripped, how much they work, whether there may be consequences.

Types and description

Eye drops for dilating the pupil in ophthalmology are called mydriatics. They are of two types:

  • Direct mydriatics, dilating the pupil by acting on the radial muscle, which increases the diameter of the pupil (Phenylephrine, Irifrin).
  • Indirect mydriatics, when using which the expansion of the pupils begins due to the relaxation of the circular muscle that controls the constriction of the pupil and its focus (Tropikamid, Midrum, Cyclomed).

By increasing the diameter of the pupil, the oculist is able to study in detail the internal structures of the eye - the lens, retina, blood vessels, optic nerves - and identify such detachments of the retina or its dystrophic changes. Preparations for dilating the pupil and relaxing the muscles responsible for focusing the visual image make it possible to determine the level of refraction and correctly select corrective optical devices for children with poor eyesight. They are also used in the treatment of certain ophthalmic pathologies:

  • amblyopia;
  • spasm of accommodation;
  • iritis;
  • iridocyclitis;
  • inflammatory processes in the organs of vision.

After instillation, the effect lasts up to four hours, then the pupils constrict on their own. The duration of exposure depends on the composition of the drug and the dose administered. For the study of the eye of newborns and young children, solutions with a weaker concentration are used. active substance.

If the drops are prescribed for the purpose of treatment, then the pupils dilate for the duration of the entire course - from a week to two weeks. In this case, after the introduction of drops, the patient may complain of symptoms such as photophobia, lacrimation, decreased visual acuity. Such drugs are more strong action, respectively, the list of side effects and contraindications is longer. Uncontrolled use leads to the most serious complications, up to severe intoxication of the patient's body. Available at the pharmacy medications this group by prescription.

Worth knowing: It has been noted that in people with a light shade of the iris, the time of action of pupil dilating drugs is longer than in dark-eyed people.

Short review

So that the use of such drops passes without severe consequences for the patient, it is categorically not recommended to select the drug and instill it on your own, even if you can buy it at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. Short review the most popular drops will help the patient navigate the appointments, and no more.

Pupil dilating drops are not sold in a pharmacy without a prescription, they are used mainly in medical institutions, clinics and hospitals

Atropine

This substance has been known for a long time. In the 19th century, women of the world, specifically to attract the attention of men, buried their eyes in their eyes so that they become moist and shiny. The risk of side effects was not taken into account. Today, this tool is used for completely different purposes.


One of the most toxic and almost no longer used mydriatics in ophthalmology is Atropine.

The main active ingredient is an alkaloid of organic origin utrophin sulfate. The substance affects oculomotor nerve, paralyzing him for a while, due to this, the pupils begin to expand. Atropine is used to examine the eye and to treat certain pathologies, such as uevitis. Immediately after the agent has been instilled, such side symptoms:

  • temporary loss of vision;
  • feeling of discomfort;
  • dizziness;
  • cardiopalmus.

Atropine is a highly toxic drug, so it is used less and less in modern ophthalmology.

Contraindications to the use of drops:

  • organ diseases genitourinary system;
  • dysfunction of the digestive system;
  • pathology of the heart and blood vessels.

Depending on the number of drops introduced, their action lasts from a couple of hours to ten days.

In pharmacies, this substance is available under the names Midrium or Tropicamide. Midriacil acts almost immediately after administration, the action lasts no more than a few hours. For such a short period side effects do not have time to develop, therefore, these drops are recommended for diagnostic examination and treatment of young children and newborns.


If you need to investigate small child, it is preferable to use drugs whose active ingredient is midriacil

Contraindications for use:

  • inflammatory processes of the organs of vision;
  • high intraocular pressure.

The tool is used to assess refraction, study the fundus, during surgical operations on the lens.

This tool also has a short time action and a minimum of side effects, it is allowed to use with increased intraocular pressure. Contraindications: patients of childhood and old age, persons suffering from diseases of the heart and blood vessels.


Irifrin is one of the drugs that is suitable for both diagnostics and therapeutic purposes

Cyclomed

The most popular drug today from the group of means for dilating pupils. Drops act from six to twelve hours, however, they are prescribed to women during the period of bearing and feeding a child.


This drug is widely used both in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases and in their diagnosis, it is well tolerated with high efficiency.

Cyclomed is used for diagnostic examination, treatment of uevitis, scleritis, as well as during various surgical interventions on the organs of vision, for example, when removing a cataract.

Contraindications:

  • childhood up to three years;
  • old age over 55 years old;
  • diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Cyclomed is not used for intestinal obstruction and prostate adenoma.

These drops have a long list of contraindications:

  • the period of bearing and feeding a child;
  • pancreatitis;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • hepatitis.


Mezaton is not always well tolerated by patients, gives side effects, so it is used extremely rarely.

The drug is not used in pediatrics, it is used as an alternative remedy in cases where, for some reason, it is impossible to use other drugs.

Appamid Plus

As part of this drug, there are two active ingredients: phenylephrine and tropicamide. The action of the drops begins a few minutes after administration and lasts no more than three hours. Diabetes, thyrotoxicosis, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, pregnancy and lactation, the elderly and children's age are the main contraindications to their use. It is used only when it is necessary to examine the patient.

Another drop for dilating the pupils of fast and short-term action - from an hour to two, depending on the amount of the injected drug. For this reason, drops are also used only for diagnostic purposes; they are not suitable for the treatment of ophthalmic pathologies.


The effect of dilated pupils after the use of this drug lasts only one to two hours

What else do you need to know

Mydriatics are characterized by the ability, when instilled into the eyes, to quickly penetrate the retina and lens into the general bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This is the reason a large number of side effects and contraindications. When using drugs of this group, you should prepare for such possible side effects:

  • double vision;
  • blurred vision;
  • promotion intraocular pressure;
  • burning, discomfort;
  • thirst with difficulty urinating;
  • increase in body temperature;
  • irritability, anxiety.


Before the introduction of mydriatics, the doctor always warns the patient about possible side effects

Locally, the conjunctiva may turn red, sometimes there are swelling of the eyelid, increased lacrimation. Usually all these symptoms disappear by themselves when the effect of the drug wears off or when it ends. But in some cases, the patient needs symptomatic treatment after using mydriatics. Use of vasoconstrictors and vasodilators helping to relax the eye muscles or, conversely, return them to tone. Therefore, if you experience any atypical symptoms, you should immediately consult an ophthalmologist.

An overdose is possible if eye drops from the mydriatic group are used long time for treatment, or the patient himself injected a larger amount of the drug. Doctors are usually well informed about serious side effects, so they administer the minimum dose of the drug for exactly the time that they need for the examination.

With an overdose of mydriatics, the following symptoms are possible:

  • Dry skin and mucous membranes.
  • Digestive disorders.
  • Tachycardia - rapid heartbeat and pulse.
  • Violation of the coherence of speech.

In this case vasoconstrictor drops for the eyes help to restore the size of the pupil and relieve discomfort. With manifestations of intoxication, the patient should be hospitalized and symptomatic treatment should be carried out.

Conclusion. Mydriatics are drugs that are indispensable in modern ophthalmic diagnostics and treatment. Only with pupils dilated to a certain diameter can a doctor accurately examine the state of the lens, retina, optic nerve, blood vessels, identify existing pathologies, determine the degree of refraction and correctly diagnose. Before using the drug, the doctor always informs the patient how much the pupil narrows and how long the drug will last, what side effects may bother and what to do in this case. Self-medication in this case can lead to health-threatening consequences.

In order to start treating eye diseases, you must first diagnose them. In addition to the instrumental methods used, preparations are often used to prepare the eyes for examination. The group of these medicines includes eye drops that dilate the pupils and are called mydriatics in ophthalmology. Without these drops, it is almost impossible to diagnose many eye diseases. These medicines are also used to treat various ailments. Indications for the use of drops that dilate the pupil, types of drugs and the duration of their action.

What are midriatics for?

Let's first define what the pupil of the eye is. There is a hole in the iris of the eye, which is called the pupil. Through this hole, light enters the eye, which then enters the retinal membrane. The pupil changes in size not only under the influence of mydriatics, but also due to lack of illumination or, conversely, due to too bright illumination and other circumstances. In some cases, the pupil tries to protect the eye, such as in very bright flashes of light. The size of the pupil is regulated by 2 muscles of the iris:

  1. Radial, which, depending on the situation, dilates the pupil. This eye muscle is controlled by sympathetic nerves;
  2. Circular- this muscle, on the contrary, narrows it, and parasympathetic nerves control it.

Pupil dilating drops are used to solve two problems:

Types of eye drops to dilate the pupil and the duration of their action

Midriatics are divided into 2 varieties:

  1. Direct capable of contracting the radial muscles. These include the drugs Irifrin and Phenylephrine;
  2. Indirect, affecting the circular muscle by reducing the intensity of its contractions. These drugs can both dilate the pupils and stimulate the adjustment of the focus of the eye. Used, for example, for spasms of accommodation. This group of drugs includes Cyclomed, Tropicamide, Midrum.

Each drug differs in its duration of action, with the exception of drops used for diagnosis, which operate for several hours. This is enough to examine the eye and identify the disease. By the way, mydriatics last longer if a person is light-eyed than when a person has dark eyes. For newborn babies born prematurely, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, the pupils are instilled with less powerful drugs than in adults.

Mydriatics used for treatment last much longer than drugs used to identify the disease - for the full course of fighting the disease. In some cases, the patient experiences discomfort, moreover, if there is a bright light and when under the bright sun, tearing is likely.

Overview of mydriatics

From some medicines that dilate the pupils, medicine decided to abandon, and some, on the contrary, are used in ophthalmology more and more often.

It should be noted that with glaucoma, any drugs that dilate the pupils are contraindicated for use.

Pupil dilation at home

It is not necessary to use drops to dilate the pupils. There are other ways that are based on the physiology of the eye. In order to expand the pupils, close your eyes, imagine that you are now in a dark place. According to scientists, the pupils become larger for a while.

One way to expand the pupil of the eye: you can choose a distant object and try to focus on it, or, on the contrary, defocus your eyes so that everything around is blurry. You will feel as your eyes relax. At home, this is not difficult to do, but it is impossible to follow the result yourself, so ask someone to watch this process or record everything on a video camera.

You can also achieve what you want if you are in a bright room and look at a relatively darker part of the room. In this case, the eye tries to capture and transmit light, resulting in the expansion of the pupils.

From the side of physiology, the mechanism of this method has not yet been explained, but some argue that the expansion of the pupils can be achieved by drawing in the stomach. In this case, the muscles should tighten.

Pupil dilation can also be achieved with the help of thoughts that increase adrenaline. In reality, it is not worth living through a situation leading to pupil dilation, because. it's hard to do it at home. This situation needs to be imagined.

Conclusion

It is impossible to prescribe drugs for yourself without undergoing an examination in any case. Only non-drug methods can be used. They are effective for a short period of time and at the same time can not harm your health.