Eye drops "Mesaton" is a common sympathomimetic drug that is used in the treatment of various diseases, as well as in certain ophthalmic procedures. For example, during postoperative examination and examinations. This is a fairly powerful tool, so it is not recommended to use it without a doctorโs prescription, be sure to read the instructions first. This article details the composition of this drug, the indications and contraindications, the existing side effects.
About the drug
Mesaton eye drops have an effect that contributes to a significant increase in the pupil. This is necessary for doctors. Indeed, it greatly facilitates the process of studying the fundus. Therefore, ophthalmologists regularly use them at the examination stage, as well as after operations, to assess whether it was effective. Indeed, the study of the fundus is an important stage in a detailed study of the posterior part of the eyeball. Without this, the examination will be incorrect.
This effect is manifested due to the main component of this drug - phenylephrine hydrochloride. What is it in simple words, all patients who have to use these drops seek to understand. By its mechanism, the substance has an effect very similar to adrenaline.
The main difference from adrenaline is that eye drops with phenylephrine act on the pupil for several hours. When adrenaline has a short-term effect. That's what it is in simple words phenylephrine hydrochloride.
Also, this drug is often used in the treatment of iritis of various origins and in the prevention of iridocyclitis.
Treatment of iridocyclitis
About this ailment is worth telling more. It must be understood that iridocyclitis is an eye disease. It is with him that these drops are most often used.
In fact, iridocyclitis is an inflammation of the iris and ciliary body. As a rule, their joint defeat is explained by the common blood supply and general nervous innervation. An isolated inflammatory process develops only in rare cases.
That this iridocyclitis becomes clear when provoking factors become known. As a rule, this is physical or mental overwork, diseases of the endocrine system, severe hypothermia. At the same time, it is often impossible to establish the true cause of the disease.
Often, patients find out that this is an eye disease of iridocyclitis, when it develops against the background of other ailments. Then it is called endogenous. Experts believe that the reasons that cause it are:
- Infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. In this case, most should be wary of tuberculosis, measles, herpes, and flu.
- Systemic diseases associated with connective tissue are rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, gout.
- The presence in the body of foci of a dangerous chronic infection - caries, basal cysts, sinusitis, sinusitis.
In some cases, iridocyclitis can develop against the background of other eye diseases. For example, scleritis or keratitis, as well as due to surgical operations on the eye, injuries and damage to the eyeball.
Because of iridocyclitis, photophobia appears, vision decreases, pain and lacrimation appear in the eye, which can spread to the temporal region of the head. The classic symptoms of this ailment are:
- discoloration of the iris;
- vasodilation around the limbus;
- fuzziness and smoothness of the iris pattern;
- reduction in pupil diameter, accompanied by a sluggish reaction to light. The pupil format may become incorrect when adhesions appear between the iris and the lens.
To diagnose this disease, the anterior chamber of the eye is examined using a special microscope, as well as palpation of the eyeball. Indications for these procedures are patient complaints.
When examining the anterior chamber, the physician should pay particular attention to clouding of moisture and the accumulation of cells. At the bottom of the chamber, pus appears in the form of a crescent, which is called a hypopion. If the blood vessel ruptures, the exudate is colored rusty or red.
In the treatment of the disease before hospitalization, pupil-expanding drugs are actively used . For example, Mesaton eye drops. It must be emphasized that using them without a doctorโs prescription is strictly prohibited.
At the stage of inpatient treatment, therapy is primarily aimed at eliminating the causes of this disease. For example, if the infection became the main iridocyclitis, then antibiotics are prescribed, and if allergies, then corticosteroids or antihistamines.
The disease can occur in severe form due to the accompanying autoimmune disease. Then immunomodulators and cytostatic agents are required. Often it is required to achieve resorption of the inflamed exudate as quickly as possible. Enzyme preparations are used to prevent adhesions.
Physiotherapeutic methods have proven highly effective. If secondary glaucoma appears, then you can not do without drugs that can lower intraocular pressure.
Due to active inflammation, contact lenses are contraindicated. And with further correction of vision, you should consult a doctor, taking into account the clinical picture of this disease and the likelihood of relapse.
It is important that iridocyclitis can be prevented. It lies in the timely treatment of chronic infections that occur in the body. Also, immunity should be strengthened, timely combat systemic diseases of the connective tissue, that is, rheumatism, gout.
Useful properties of the drug
At the heart of these eye drops, phenylephrine is a chemical substance that can activate the activity of alpha-adrenergic receptors.
Because of this, there is a narrowing effect on the blood vessels, blood pressure rises, which leads to the expansion of the pupil.
In parallel, the smooth muscles of the conjunctiva contract. Due to this, the effect is so long. The action occurs within 30 minutes, and lasts about 5-6 hours. In children, the dilated pupil may persist even longer.
Instructions for use
Eye drops "Mesaton", as a rule, is instilled by a specialist. The need to bury them yourself in a patient is extremely rare.
To achieve the desired effect during research, one drop in each eye is enough. Additional instillation is required in some cases when the pupil begins to narrow before less than an hour.
With ophthalmic diseases, the patient has to instill drops on their own. It is important that the dosage should not exceed one drop in each eye three times a day. The course of treatment is determined individually. It depends on how the body responds to the drug, at what stage the inflammatory process is.
Indications for use
With ophthalmic treatment, "Mesaton" for the eyes is used for the following diseases:
- iridocyclitis;
- complex treatment of accommodation spasm that occurs in childhood;
- front uveite;
- irritation that occurs with dry eye syndrome;
- decreased activity of exudative processes in the iris.
In addition, the drug is recommended to be used as a diagnostic tool. Indication for the use of eye drops "Mesaton" is a suspicion of the closed-angle form of glaucoma. Also, the drug is used when adhesions appear in the back of the eyeball or asthenopia.
Side effects
Eye drops "Mesaton" is a fairly powerful tool. Therefore, it should be used with extreme caution. There are certain side effects from Mesaton that can occur depending on how the body responds to the drug.
Among them are:
- allergic reactions;
- high blood pressure;
- conjunctival irritation of the eyes;
- excessive sweating;
- a feeling of "fog" in front of the eyes;
- too pale complexion;
- headache;
- palpitations;
- high intraocular pressure;
- uncontrolled lacrimation.
Also, in many patients, Mesaton eye drops cause reactive myosis, which can occur within 24 hours. Since there are really many side effects, you should definitely consult a specialist before using the drug. In this case, you can not self-medicate.
When is the application inappropriate?
Contraindications should be remembered. Eye drops "Mesaton" is forbidden to use with the following problems and pathologies:
- progressive glaucoma in any form;
- individual intolerance to the individual components of the drug;
- problems with the heart and blood vessels, especially if they occur in old age;
- hepatic porphyria;
- regularly increased intraocular pressure;
- violation of the integrity of the eyeball;
- excessive lacrimation;
- increased activity of the endocrine system, which leads to unstable conditions.
Inbound components
As part of the "Mesatone" phenylephrine is the main active ingredient. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, decamethoxin, distilled water, polyethylene oxide are also used as auxiliary.
You can find the medicine on the drugstore shelves in 5 mm bottles. They are equipped with a special pipette-dispenser, which greatly facilitates the instillation.
The drug is advised to be stored in a dark and dry place only when closed. The temperature in the room should not exceed 25 degrees.
Be sure to ensure that children and pets do not have access to the drug. Otherwise, it can turn into serious trouble.
Unopened, eye drops are stored for three years. An opened bottle can be used for no more than one month.
Alternative
There are several analogues of Mesaton eye drops, which are often used by ophthalmologists as alternative remedies.
First of all, it is known to many as Atropine. It is, perhaps, more often than other drugs buried when it is necessary to achieve pupil expansion. The effect occurs within 30 minutes. As a rule, this drug is used when examining damaged organs of vision, as well as if there is a likelihood of blood clots in the eyeball. It can not be used for children under 7 years of age, as well as for adults with glaucoma or synechia of the iris.
Another medicine for dilating the pupil is Cyclomed. It can lead to dryness around the eyes, inability to navigate in space, dry eye syndrome.
"Irifrin" is prescribed not only for the study of the pupil, but also for diseases such as iridocyclitis and uveitis. If there are no contraindications, it can be an effective tool that will help prevent dry eye syndrome. Available in two dosage forms, which differ from each other in the degree of concentration of active substances. One of them is used for adult patients, the second - for children, including newborns.
At the heart of the drug "Vistosan" is also phenylephrine. Its action is almost identical to the effect that the Mesaton produces. These drops are also prescribed in the treatment of iridocyclitis, as well as a concomitant diagnostic tool. Depending on the objectives, its various concentrations are applied.
A common domestic analogue of Mesaton is Neosinephrine-POS. It is based on phenylephrine hydrochloride. It is used to dilate the pupil for diagnosis. An ophthalmologist only needs one drop of the substance to achieve the desired effect. After about an hour, the instillation should be repeated if it turns out that the pupil is not dilated enough. The main thing is to prevent overdose. Its symptoms are nausea, anxiety, vomiting, pressure surges, dizziness, general nervousness, excessive sweating.
Like Mesaton itself, all its analogues can be used only after prior consultation with a doctor.
Note that this drug is quite inexpensive. Its average price in the country is 30 rubles.
Tips & Tricks
If you have been prescribed Mesaton drops, you should remember that they cannot be instilled if the patient is in lenses. Before using the drug, they must be removed. It is allowed to put on back at least a quarter of an hour after instillation.
Use the drug with extreme caution. With repeated instillation, the pupil will expand even more, and the effect will pass no earlier than five hours.
If pregnant or lactating women have to use the drug, prior consultation with a doctor is necessary. Categorically in such cases, it is not contraindicated, but there may be adverse consequences due to the characteristics of the body, the stage of development of the disease.
If the drug enters the bloodstream, some patients may experience general malaise, a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue. This condition is considered normal. After some time, these sensations will pass by themselves without a trace.
Remember that "Mesaton" is forbidden to combine with "Atropine". Even after a considerable time. Each of the drugs will enhance the effect of the other. This will lead to adverse effects on the body. In this case, you will only significantly aggravate the situation.