Oftalmoferon for children: instructions for use

Oftalmoferon is often prescribed to adults for allergic or viral eye diseases. Thanks to several active ingredients, such a local remedy has a multifaceted effect on the conjunctiva, and no side effects are noted. But is it possible to drip Ophthalmoferon into the eyes of children when its use is justified and according to what scheme is this medication prescribed in childhood?

Release form

The drug is produced by the Russian company Firn M exclusively in the form of eye drops. One plastic or glass bottle of Ophthalmoferon, which has a dropper cap, contains 10 milliliters of a colorless or slightly yellowish liquid.

Such a solution is completely transparent and normally should not contain any foreign inclusions or suspended matter. If the drug becomes cloudy or changes color, such drops cannot be used.

Composition

The main ingredient of Ophthalmoferon is human interferon, which belongs to type alpha 2. According to the method of production, it is also called genetically engineered or recombinant, since genetic engineering is used to form it.

Thanks to this route of production, this component is more purified (by 99%) than interferon from leukocytes, and also cannot transmit viruses. Its amount in each milliliter of solution is at least 10,000 IU.

The second active ingredient of the drug is diphenhydramine, which is also known as diphenhydramine. One milliliter of drops contains it in a dose of 1 mg.

To make the medicine liquid and not spoil, other excipients are added to it, in addition to sterile water, including Trilon B, boric acid, povidone and hypromellose. It is important to clarify the complete list of such compounds when using drops in patients prone to allergies.

Operating principle

Oftalmoferon has a wide spectrum of antiviral activity, since its ingredients act on different types of viral pathogens.

In addition, the drug has the following therapeutic effects:

immunomodulatory;
antimicrobial;
local anesthetic;
regenerating;
anti-inflammatory.

The effect of drops on the immune system and viruses is provided by interferon, and thanks to the addition of this ingredient with diphenhydramine (a histamine receptor blocker), the use of Ophthalmoferon also helps to reduce itching and eliminate puffiness.

The auxiliary components of the drops form the so-called "artificial tear". Among them are biological polymers that can protect the eye from irritating external influences. Due to their presence, the medicine has a softening and lubricating effect.

In addition, their presence in the composition of Ophthalmoferon creates a protective film after treatment (the contact of the drug with the eye becomes longer) and helps to evenly distribute interferon and diphenhydramine over the surface of the epithelium.

Boric acid in the composition of the drug acts as an antiseptic, which is important when a bacterial infection is attached (secondary infection with viral eye diseases appears quite often).

Studies have shown that treatment with Ophthalmoferon accelerates recovery from viral eye lesions, promotes the resorption of corneal infiltrates, and reduces soreness and redness.

Indications

The drug is used:

with adenoviral conjunctivitis;
in case of damage to the mucous membrane of the eyes with herpes viruses;
with hemorrhagic conjunctivitis caused by enterovirus infection;
with keratitis, provoked by herpes viruses or adenoviruses;
With herpetic keratitis of various forms;
with keratouveitis caused by herpes viruses (including the formation of ulcers);

with keratoconjunctivitis caused by adenoviruses or herpes infection;
with eye lesions with chickenpox;
with dry eye syndrome;
with bacterial infections of the conjunctiva (together with antibacterial agents);
with allergic forms of conjunctivitis.

The drug can also be prescribed to patients who have undergone keratoplasty or other eye surgery (to prevent complications after surgery).

From what age is it allowed to take?

The medication is considered harmless for patients of any age, so it can be dripped into the eyes of both babies in the first year of life and older children. At the same time, the use of drops for both an infant and a schoolchild or teenager is recommended after a doctor's prescription.

Contraindications

The only reason why Ophthalmoferon cannot be used is the individual intolerance of one of the active substances or auxiliary components of the drops. There are no other contraindications for such a medicine.

Side effects

No negative side effects are noted during treatment with Oftalmoferon.

The reason for the harmlessness of the drug is associated with its exclusively local effects. Even if a certain percentage of active substances penetrates through the membranes of the eye into the blood, it is so small that it cannot be detected by any research, therefore, it has no effect on health.

Instructions for use and dosage

If the stage of the disease is acute, the drug is injected into each eye up to 6-8 times a day, 1 drop, but depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor may prescribe Oftalmoferon and 2 drops.

As soon as the inflammation begins to decrease, the frequency of using the drops is reduced to 2-3 times a day.

The duration of use is determined individually, since Ophthalmoferon should be dripped until the signs of eye damage completely disappear.

If the patient has dry eye syndrome, the medication is prescribed for a course of 25-30 days and is used daily. 1-2 drops of Ophthalmoferon are dripped into each eye twice a day.

When administered after eye surgery, the drug is instilled every day, starting from the day when the surgery was performed. Usually the course of therapy lasts 10-14 days, and 1 or 2 drops of Ophthalmoferon are dripped into each eye 2-4 times a day.

Overdose

The manufacturer does not mention cases of a negative effect on the patient's body of an exceeded dose of drops.

Interaction with other drugs

Ophthalmoferon is often prescribed together with corticosteroids, drugs to improve reparative processes, antibiotics and local anti-inflammatory drugs, since such drops are compatible with them and do not worsen their therapeutic effect.

The drug can also be used in conjunction with tear replacement therapy and agents that activate the regeneration of the membranes of the eye.

Terms of sale

Ophthalmoferon is an over-the-counter medication, so buying it at a pharmacy does not cause any difficulties. The price of one bottle of drops varies from 250 to 310 rubles.

Storage features

The shelf life of the sealed vial is 2 years, but the opened medicine can be dripped into the eyes only 30 days after the first use.

To store the medicine (both sealed and already open bottle), a low temperature is required - from +2 to +8 degrees Celsius. The storage location should also be out of reach of children and sunlight.

Reviews

On the treatment of eye diseases in children with Ophthalmoferon, both doctors and parents respond mostly well. They emphasize that the positive effect of the drops appears within 1-2 days from the beginning of instillation.

The advantages of the drug are called the possibility of treating the smallest patients, good tolerance and a minimum list of contraindications. According to moms, the drops do not cause any side effects, as well as any discomfort or burning sensation after the drops get into the eyes.

The disadvantages of Oftalmoferon include a high frequency of use, the need for storage in a refrigerator and a short shelf life of an opened bottle.

Some parents call the price of drops quite high and are interested in cheaper drugs. Also, sometimes there are reviews in which they complain about the lack of a therapeutic effect.

Analogs

Instead of Oftalmoferon for eye diseases, other local remedies can be used:

Okomistin. Such antiseptic drops are analogous to Miramistin for the eyes. They are prescribed to children of different ages, both with bacterial damage to the tissues of the eyes, and with viral infections. The drug can also be dripped into the nose.
Oculohel. Such a homeopathic remedy includes substances from echinacea, euphrasia and other plants. The drug is approved at any age.
Zovirax. This acyclovir-based eye ointment is used for infections with herpes viruses. It can be used from birth.
Dexa-Gentamicin. This medicine, produced in the form of an ointment and drops, contains an antibiotic supplemented with a glucocorticoid. In children, it is used only when prescribed by a doctor.

Levomycetin. Such antibacterial drops are used for barley, blepharitis and other microbial eye lesions. In childhood, they are used under medical supervision from birth.
Slezin. These drops replace tears and can be used at any age.
KromoHEXAL. This medication based on sodium clomoglycate is prescribed for allergic eye damage. Children are prescribed it from 2 years old.
Sulfacyl sodium. Such a drug from the group of sulfonamides can be dripped to children from birth both for the treatment of conjunctivitis and for its prevention.
Vitabact. This medicine with antimicrobial and antiseptic action is approved in childhood from birth.

Such and other eye drops or ointments differ not only in active ingredients and age range, but also in the mechanism of action and contraindications. And therefore, they should be used for conjunctivitis or other eye disease in children only after the appointment of an ophthalmologist.