Red Top 

• We dilate the eyes to be able to get a better look at structures behind the Iris, such as the lens,  retina, and optic nerve 

• Dilation is essential for a proper eye exam and makes this very difficult if not dilated. This is especially important if the patient is experiencing vision- threatening symptoms, such as flashes/floaters, or a sudden loss of vision

• Dilation makes near vision blurry, but does not affect distance vision. It also makes eyes very sensitive to light. Be sure to explain this to patients when you administer them

• Note: These bottles can look very similar to one another! Please read and make sure they are what you thing they are!

Standalone Dilation Drops

Tropicamide (.5% and 1%)

• Used if people have more narrow angles (esp .5%)

• Lasts about 6 hours

Phenylephrine (2.5% and 10%)

• 2.5% is favored by ST's team

• 10% is used for Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) adjustments

• Lasts for 3-6 hours

Cyclopentolate 1%

• Primarily used in children (seldomly used at HEA)

• Dilates the pupil for 24 hours!

Atropine 1%

• This will dilate the pupil for 1 week!!!

Combination Drop

• 1% Tropicamide with 2.5% Phenylephrine

• This is our standard dilation drop. It is powerful as it combines two different acting medications

• Tropicamide paralyzes the sphincter muscle of the pupil, while Phenylephrine overexcites the dilator muscle of the pupil

Acoltremon .003% 

• Just got FDA approved!

• The first eyedrop that stimulates corneal nerves to address tear deficiency

• Works in 1-2 days