Acetylcysteine for dry eyes

About acetylcysteine eye drops

Acetylcysteine works by reducing the stickiness of tears. In the brand Ilube®, acetylcysteine is combined with an ingredient called hypromellose which soothes and lubricates the surface of your eye. These two ingredients together act as artificial tears. The drops ease eye dryness and soreness which is associated with some dry eye conditions, and make your eyes feel more comfortable.

Acetylcysteine eye drops are available on a prescription from a doctor.

للتأكد من أن هذا هو العلاج المناسب لك، قبل أن تبدأ في استخدام قطرات العين من المهم أن يعرف طبيبك:

• إذا كنت ترتدي عدسات لاصقة ناعمة.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a preservative in eye drops.

• إذا كنت حاملاً أو مرضعة.

1. اغسل يديك قبل استخدام القطرات.

2. Remove the yellow plastic disc, the metal ring and the black rubber bung from the top of the bottle of eye drops. Next, take the plastic dropper from the packet and gently, but firmly, push it on to the top of the opened bottle.

3. Remove the plastic cap from the dropper.

4. أمل رأسك قليلاً للخلف واسحب الجفن السفلي لعينك للأسفل لتشكيل جيب.

5. Hold the bottle upside down with the dropper near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.

6. Gently press the middle of the dropper to release one drop. Use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

7. أغلق عينك لمدة دقيقة أو دقيقتين، واضغط بلطف على جانب أنفك حيث يلتقي زاوية عينك بأنفك. هذا يساعد على منع القطرة من التصريف ويبقيها في عينك.

8. كرر العملية في عينك الأخرى إذا طُلب منك استخدام القطرات في كلتا العينين.

9. Replace the plastic cap to protect the dropper.

• Before you start using the eye drops, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the pack. It will give you more information about using the drops and will provide you with a full list of any side-effects which you may experience.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected by dryness. You can do this three or four times each day unless you have been told otherwise by your doctor.

• Please take care that the dropper doesn't touch your eye, your fingers, or any other surface. This could contaminate the drops left in the bottle.

• If you forget to use the drops at your 'usual' time, do not worry, just put them in when you remember. Do not 'double up' the number of drops you use to make up for forgetting to use them.

• When first put in, eye drops can cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive, or before you use tools or machines.

• If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave about ten minutes between applying each one. It is usually recommended that you use the acetylcysteine drops last. This is so that the drops stay in contact with your eye and lubricate it for as long as possible.

• If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before applying the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in. This is because the preservative used in the eye drops can affect soft contact lenses.

• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, make another appointment to see your doctor for advice.

The eye drops can occasionally cause mild eye irritation or redness, but these usually soon pass and not everyone will experience them. The preservative benzalkonium chloride can cause eye irritation and symptoms of dry eye. If eye irritation continues, or if you experience any other eye problems, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

• احفظ جميع الأدوية بعيدًا عن متناول ورؤية الأطفال.

• احفظه في مكان بارد وجاف، بعيدًا عن الحرارة المباشرة والضوء.

• Ilube® eye drops only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened, so do not use these drops if the bottle has been open for longer than this. This helps to prevent the risk of eye infection.