Gouttes ophtalmiques de dexaméthasone pour l'inflammation

About dexamethasone eye drops

Dexamethasone eye drops are used to treat short-term inflammatory eye conditions. They are usually prescribed by an eye specialist. They contain a corticosteroid (sometimes called a 'steroid') which helps relieve inflammation, redness and irritation.

Some dexamethasone eye drops also contain an anti-infective medicine. These drops are sometimes used to prevent infections from developing following eye surgery.

Pour vous assurer que c'est le bon traitement pour vous, avant de commencer à utiliser les gouttes pour les yeux, il est important que votre médecin sache :

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any eye drops or other medicine.

• Si vous pensez que vous pourriez avoir une infection oculaire.

• If you have damaged corneas.

• Si vous portez des lentilles de contact souples.

• Si vous êtes enceinte ou si vous allaitez.

• If you have diabetes or there is a history of diabetes in your family.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médecines complémentaires.

1. Lavez-vous bien les mains avant d'utiliser les gouttes.

2. Remove the cap (or twist off the tip of the unit if you are using a single-use unit).

3. Inclinez légèrement la tête en arrière et tirez la paupière inférieure de votre œil pour former une poche.

4. Hold the bottle (or single-use unit) upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.

5. Appliquez suffisamment de pression pour libérer une goutte dans votre œil. N'utilisez une deuxième goutte que si la première n'est pas entrée dans votre œil.

6. Fermez votre œil pendant une minute ou deux et appuyez doucement sur le côté de votre nez où le coin de votre œil rencontre votre nez. Cela aide à empêcher la goutte de s'écouler et la maintient dans votre œil.

7. Repeat the process in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes. (The contents of one single-use unit are enough for both eyes.)

8. Replace the cap (or if you are using the single-use unit, throw it away).
   

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

• Use the eye drops exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to apply the drops frequently during the first two days until your symptoms are controlled - typically every 30-60 minutes while you are awake. Once your eye begins to feel better, reduce the frequency of using the drops to 4-6 times a day.

• Dexamethasone eye drops are only meant to be used for a short period of time. Do not use them for longer than one week unless your doctor advises you otherwise. This is because they can cause problems within your eye when used for longer than recommended.

• Take care not to touch the tip of the dropper with your eye, fingers or any other surface. This will help to prevent the risk of infection.

• When first put in, eye drops can cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear but make sure you can see properly before you drive and before you use tools or machines, as otherwise you may put yourself and others at risk.

• Si vous utilisez d'autres gouttes pour les yeux ou pommades, laissez environ dix minutes entre chaque application. Cela permet d'éviter que trop de liquide ne pénètre dans votre œil, ce qu'il ne peut pas gérer. Sinon, les gouttes déborderont de votre œil et pourraient ne pas avoir l'effet escompté.

• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, speak again with your doctor.

• If you normally wear contact lenses, do not wear them again until your doctor advises you do so. There are two reasons for this - you should not wear lenses while your eyes are inflamed, and bottles of eye drops contain a preservative which can affect some soft contact lenses.

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with dexamethasone eye drops. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your drops. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to a new medicine but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Occasionally people can be allergic to eye drops, particularly if the eye drops contain a preservative. If you notice a rash around your eyes, or any swelling or itching, stop using the drops and contact a doctor for advice. If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the eye drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

• Eye drops only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened so throw away the bottle after this time, even if there is some solution left. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.

• Single-use units should be used as soon as the unit is opened. Do not keep opened units to re-use at a later time.