Atropine drops for amblyopia

[chocolateistheenemy]

Anyone's DC used/using these?
DS is 5 and has fully accommodative right esotropia, which I think is just a posh way of saying a lazy eye. He's very long sighted and has worn glasses for almost 2 years (left eye +4.5, right eye +6.25 at last hospital appt Apr 2012).
His eyes are working together as a pair now so optometrist doesn't want to patch, but wants to get the weak eye stronger.
I'm sure it's a good thing, but don't know anyone else whose DCs wear glasses so have nobody to talk to about it all...
I've told him he will have to have 2 drops a week but it won't hurt. I hope I'm right! Also he's doing really well in school and I don't want him to struggle because only his rubbish eye is working... bless him.
Tell me your experiences... good and bad!!!
Thanks

...anyone?!

Has he had patching?

In the UK patching tends to be the first line treatment for amblyopia/lazy eye.

Hi Atropine can be an excellent alternative to patching it is a drug and therefore v small risk of side effects ( should only be prescribed by ophthalmologist and carefully monitored with max 6 weekly check ups ) but can give quick results and a lot of older children prefer it to patch. You could ask school to watch for probs with close work particularly.

Ooops. i just re-read your post. It's getting late!

Patching can be used even when the eyes are straight. Your sons lazy eye has been caused by the difference in prescription between the two eyes as well as the squint. Why has he been in glasses for 2 years and the atropine is only being started now?

Anyways. Atropine blurs the vision in the good eye and forces him to use the other eye. He should be ok for school. Kids are so adaptable!
As for the drops you can put them in at night once he is sleeping. Just make sure the drop lands in inner corner of his eye then very gently pull the lower lid slightly. Gravity and a stationary child are a great combo!

You will know if you have gotten the drop in as he will have a large pupil.

To Ontesterhooks.....if a child is allergic to a patch you take it off. If a child is allergic to atropine there can be very serious side effects from a systemic drug (although very rare).

Not getting at anyone , just want to highlight why atropine is not the first line treatment. We use it in our department but only after patching has been tried.

Thanks so much cheekyginger
I'm a natural worrier understatement of the century so I'd appreciate knowing what side effects to look out for...
DS has done two years because up until his penultimate check up, his right eye was improving. Now it's kind of plateaued I think...
In general how long do drops continue to be used?
Thanks for the tip on administering... he's a bit of a wimp and doesn't even like having his nose wiped or face washed!

Thanks Ontesterhooks
DS has an excellent teacher so I'm sure she'll keep an eye on him (no pun intended!!).
He wouldn't like to wear a patch for obvious reasons so hopefully this will be successful. Does the good eye lose anything by being blurred so often?
Sorry for all the questions... I'd prefer to avoid Dr Google and a panic attack

Hi cheeky ginger sorry yes that's what I was getting at too about the possible side effects, that patching would always be easier to try first !

Chocolate the most serious but v rare side effect is an increase in heart rate (racing pulse) atropine is used in heart conditions but when used in the form if an eye drop the active ingredient should be used up in the eye and only v small amount enter the blood stream (but for this reason you should be careful putting them in that they don't flood down face into the mouth and wash your own hands after and obviously keep out of kids reach etc) other reports of hyperactivity, flushed face, dry mouth and hallucinations again v rare.

My advice is to put first drop in on a day when you can closely monitor your child and if all is fine then should be ok with future drops.

If you suspect they are having a reaction take child to a&e and take atropine to show what has been given.

Sorry your other question was about good eye - the orthoptist should see your child v regularly and can use a lens in front of the good eye to counteract the effect if the drop and therefore check that the vision is staying good in that eye too !

Thanks again... good idea re putting them in on a day when I can keep an eye on him. I will do a Sunday so any reaction will be when he's at home.