Some children have a hard time getting used to wearing glasses, even if the glasses are the right ones for them. Using atropine drops or ointment can help. Atropine is a medicine for the eyes that makes the pupils bigger and helps relax the eye muscles to help your child get used to wearing glasses. The medicine comes as an ointment in a small tube or as eye drops in a small bottle.
If your child is far-sighted and uses this medicine, their vision will look blurrier unless they wear their glasses.
If your child needs bifocals, things up close will look blurry unless they use the bifocal part of their glasses.
Directions
Apply the medicine to each eye at bedtime for ___________ days. Please follow the instructions below.:
Wash your hands before you open the tube or bottle.
If using ointment: Gently pull the lower eyelid down. Squeeze out a small dab (about the size of a grain of rice) into the space between the eyelid and the eyeball.
If using eye drops: Gently pull the lower eyelid down. Put one drop into the space between the eyelid and the eyeball.
Wash your hands again after giving the medicine to your child. If the medicine gets on your hands and you rub your own eye, your pupil may get bigger and your vision may be blurry.
Storage
Keep the medicine in a safe place out of reach of children. If someone swallows it, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Special Precautions
Your child's face may look flushed or feel warm if you use too much medicine. Next time, use less ointment or only one drop. If it happens again, stop the medicine and call the clinic.
You do not need to take special safety steps while your child's eyes are dilated. Your child may be more sensitive to bright light. Sunlight will not hurt their eyes, but they may squint more. Sunglasses or a hat with a visor may help.
Your child's eye muscles may seem weaker while using the medicine. This will go back to normal once the medicine wears off. Your child can still swim, run, and play like usual.
Who to Call
UWHC Pediatric Eye Clinic
Monday through Friday
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
(608) 263-6414
Toll-free: 1-800-323-8942.
On nights and weekends, the toll free number connects you to the hospital paging operator. Ask for the Eye Resident on call, and leave your name and phone number with area code. The doctor will call you back.