Eye drops for children are often the same drugs used to treat adults, the effectiveness of which must be proven, and the risk of possible complications is minimal.
All ophthalmic preparations are made according to specific requirements. Drops for eyes for children must meet a number of conditions - be sterile, do not contain impurities and toxic substances, and have a concentration that meets the standards.
Only a doctor who has examined the child and has a thorough medical history can prescribe effective eye drops for children.
Eye drops containing antibiotics
Most antibacterial eye drops are prohibited for use in the fight against the infectious process that occurs in children. Microorganisms, with improper and inappropriate use of antibacterial drops, tend to mutate, which, against the background of suppression of the eye's own microflora, allows new strains to arise, and this leads to the development of a chronic sluggish disease.
The mistake that parents make when purchasing new, and, therefore, effective eye drops, which are advised by friends (pharmacists, advertising), is the occurrence of superinfection, chronicity of the process, the occurrence of fungal lesions that cannot be adequately treated and lead to the death of the organ.
Allergic reactions can also be triggered by the use of sufficiently strong drugs in excessive doses. An undesirable effect is also, despite local application, side effects of the drugs.
Before using even absolutely safe eye drops, you should be examined by a doctor.
Recommended antibacterial eye drops for children
Sulfacil sodium eye drops (Albucid)
It is used for diseases of an inflammatory nature caused by staphylococcal, streptococcal, gonococcal and chlamydial flora in children.
Albucid is instilled into the eyes of a child with bacterial conjunctivitis, as well as with bacterial and traumatic keratitis. This remedy can be used from birth.
If you drip the drops into your eyes, a burning sensation arises almost immediately, which passes quickly enough.
The instillation mode may vary. In severe cases, albucid is instilled often, almost hourly, or once every 2 hours for 10 days.
It is recommended to change the albucid to another antibacterial agent if the patient's condition begins to deteriorate.
Tobrex
Eye drops, the antibacterial effect of which is possible due to the main component - tobramycin (macrolide).
Tobrex eye drops are used for newborns from the first hours, preventing gonococcal infection. In this case, 1 drop of the drug is dripped once into each eye.
The recommended regimen for the treatment of purulent conjunctivitis, keratitis and blepharitis: drip into the eyes drop by drop every 2 hours 7 days.
The frequency of admission, as well as the replacement of the drug, is controlled by an ophthalmologist.
Levomycetin - 0.25% eye drops
Levomycetin drops are a successful combination that combines both levomycetin and orthoboric acid.
Its use is recommended in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, keratitis, dacryocystitis, barley.
Instructions for use of the drug indicate that these drops can be instilled in a child only when they reach the age of 2 years.
In newborns, chloramphenicol can be used only in cases where there are no alternative options, when this is the only chance to preserve the organ of vision and visual functions.
Levomycetin is instilled dropwise into the inflamed eye every 3 to 4 hours for 14 days. The peculiarities of the reception should be discussed with an ophthalmologist in order to control the appearance of side effects.
Levomycetin has side effects, manifested by disorders of hematopoiesis (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia), allergic reactions. In case of an overdose, renal impairment is noted.
Levomycetin is not a harmless drug, do not start using it yourself. Consult an ophthalmologist before use.
Tsiprolet
A drug containing the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin.
Basically, in children it is used for advanced inflammatory processes of a bacterial nature or for severe infections. Tsiprolet is allowed to be used by children over 1 year old. It is necessary to adhere to the regimen of application: drop by drop into the affected eye up to 6 times a day for 10 days.
Tsiprolet should be used after consulting an ophthalmologist.
Early discontinuation of the drug leads to the formation of special bacteria that are resistant to drugs of this series. As a result, the process becomes chronic.
Tsiprolet is not used for diseases of viral etiology that are not complicated by a bacterial component, since the condition can worsen due to the suppression of the eye's own microflora and the addition of infection.
Tsiprolet contains components to which allergic manifestations can develop.
Vitabact
A drug with an antiseptic effect, allowing it to be considered both as antiviral drops and as a weak antibacterial and antifungal agent.
Due to its ability to affect the bacterial, viral and fungal nature, Vitabact must be used in severe cases in combination with powerful antibacterial drugs.
Remember that the drug has a weak antimicrobial effect compared to antibacterial drugs, so its use as the main agent for purulent processes can have undesirable consequences.
Vitabact is used dropwise every 2 hours 14 days under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
Vitabact has a number of side effects, mainly due to allergies to components. Before instillation, Vitabact should be slightly warmed in the hand so that the bottle and its contents acquire body temperature.
Allergy eye drops for children
The use of antiallergic eye drops is only a symptomatic treatment and can only be used as a method of adjuvant therapy.
Adult eye drops for allergies for children are practically not used. Most drops contain substances that can harm the baby's body. For example, drops containing steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances are often used in adults.
Children are recommended to use them only upon reaching the age of 7 years. This is due to the high likelihood of developing adverse reactions, the lack of safe dosages designed for the baby's body.
Vasoconstrictor drops reduce swelling by narrowing the blood vessels. Nasal drops used for a cold also work. They are indicated for use by children who are 3 years old, since the droplets are sufficiently well absorbed and can cause narrowing of larger vessels, which leads to the development of collaptoid states and fainting.
Allergy eye drops approved for use in children
1. Allergodil - a drug that allows you to cope with conjunctivitis of an allergic nature in children 4 years of age and older. Its action is directed to the blockade of histamine H-1 receptors. The recommended dosage regimen is to apply the drug drop by drop every 3 to 4 hours. The duration of use is controlled by an ophthalmologist.
2. Okumetil - a combined preparation with antiseptic, antiallergic properties. The use is allowed for children two years and older. They are buried drop by drop every 3 to 4 hours.
If you suspect that the allergic manifestations are associated with the use of eye drops, then drip each of the drugs into the eyes at an interval of 30 minutes. The appearance of increasing lacrimation, redness, itching indicates allergic manifestations. Stop using drops. To change the drug, contact the doctor who prescribed the treatment.
Remember that before using antiallergic drops, you should consult an ophthalmologist and an allergist for a full course of therapy to stabilize the condition and achieve a stable remission.
