Phenylephrine and Tropicamide eye drops

• Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 2.5% Eye Drops

• Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10% Eye Drops

• Tropicamide 0.5% Eye Drops

• Tropicamide 1% Eye Drops

This leaflet gives you information you need with regard to your eye drops.

Phenylephrine and Tropicamide eye drops allow your doctor or nurse to examine your eye more easily.

Both of these eye drops make the pupil of your eye larger and relax the muscles in your eye. This makes it easier for your doctor or nurse to examine your eye and treat your vision. 

Phenylephrine eye drops may be used if you are having surgery on your eye.

The drops can cause blurred vision, which may last for several hours. Do not drive and do not use tools or machines until your vision is clear again.

Before instillation of drops it is important that you tell us if any of the following apply to you.

• You had an allergic reaction to any eye drops in the past.

• You have a history of higher-than-normal pressure in your eye or narrow angles.

• You have glaucoma.

• You have heart disease or fast heart beats (tachycardia).

• You have high blood pressure.

• You have any bulges in major arteries (aneurysms).

• You wear contact lenses.

• You take anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication.

• You take any other medicines. This includes non-prescription medication, and herbal and complementary medicines.

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effects of Phenylephrine

• Temporary stinging and blurred vision. This will gradually wear off within a couple of hours.

• In some cases, bright light can be uncomfortable for a few hours after having the drops.

• Occasionally allergic reactions that can affect the clear membrane (surface) that covers the white of your eye.

• Risk of angle closure glaucoma. This is when there is a sudden rise in eye pressure, that will need to be treated urgently.

• Rare side effect. Patients that already suffer from heart disease and are using a 10% dose, can rarely experience cardiac effects.

Possible side effects of Tropicamide

• Temporary stinging and blurred vision. This will gradually wear off within a couple of hours.

• Dry mouth, caused by drops being absorbed through the tear duct. This will gradually wear off within a couple of hours.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your eye care team on 07934 603451.