Dorzolamide eye drops for glaucoma

About dorzolamide eye drops

An increase in pressure within your eye can lead to damage to the optic nerve at the back of your eye. When this occurs it is called glaucoma. Glaucoma can lead to a loss of vision if it is not treated. If you have an increased pressure within your eye but without any damage to the optic nerve, this is called ocular hypertension. People with ocular hypertension have an increased risk of later developing glaucoma. Treatment with dorzolamide eye drops helps to reduce eye pressure in people with ocular hypertension, and to prevent further eye damage in people with glaucoma.

Dorzolamide works by blocking the action of an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. Blocking this enzyme reduces the amount of fluid that you make in the front part of your eye (called aqueous humour), and this helps to lower the pressure within your eye.

Sometimes, more than one type of eye drop is needed to keep the pressure in the eye low. If this is the case for you, you may be asked to use two different eye drops, or you may be given drops which combine more than one type. Dorzolamide is available as a combination eye drop with a beta-blocker called timolol, in a brand called Cosopt®.

Before using dorzolamide

Algunos medicamentos no son adecuados para personas con determinadas afecciones, y a veces un medicamento sólo puede utilizarse si se toman precauciones adicionales. Por estas razones, antes de empezar a usar las gotas es importante que su médico lo sepa:

• Si usa lentes de contacto blandas.

• Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia.

• If you have any problems with the way your kidneys work, or if you have ever had kidney stones.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de su hígado.

• If you have a condition where your blood acidity is too high, called hyperchloraemic acidosis.

• If you have dry eye disease or are using eye drops for dry eyes.

• Si está tomando algún medicamento. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have ever had a bad reaction to any other eye drops, or to a type of medicine known as a 'sulfonamide'.

How to use dorzolamide eye drops

1. Lávese las manos antes de utilizar las gotas.

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

3. Inclina un poco la cabeza hacia atrás y tira del párpado inferior del ojo hacia fuera para formar una bolsa.

4. Mantenga el frasco (o la monodosis) boca abajo cerca del ojo. Procure no tocarse el ojo al hacerlo.

5. Press the container gently to release one drop into your eye. Only use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

6. Cierre el ojo durante uno o dos minutos y presione suavemente en el lado de la nariz donde el rabillo del ojo se une con la nariz. Esto ayuda a evitar que la gota se escurra y la mantiene en el ojo.

7. Repita el proceso en el otro ojo si le han indicado que utilice las gotas en ambos ojos.

8. Vuelva a colocar el tapón (o si utiliza la unidad monodosis, tírelo).

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Antes de empezar a usar el colirio, lea el prospecto impreso del envase. Le dará más información sobre el colirio y le proporcionará una lista completa de los efectos secundarios que puede experimentar con su uso.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected. The drops are used two or three times each day, depending on whether you are also using other drops. Your doctor will tell you how many times a day is right for you and your dose will also be printed on the label of the pack.

• Remember to use the drops at regular intervals and try not to miss any doses. If you do forget to use the drops, put them in as soon as you remember, but do not 'double up' to make up for any missed doses.

• Tenga cuidado de no tocar la punta del gotero con el ojo, los dedos o cualquier otra superficie. Así evitará que las gotas se contaminen.

• Si utiliza cualquier otro colirio, deje pasar entre 5 y 10 minutos entre una aplicación y otra. Así evitará que entre en el ojo más líquido del que puede soportar. De lo contrario, las gotas rebosarán y no surtirán el efecto deseado.

• When first put in, eye drops can make your eyes water and may sometimes cause blurred vision. If this happens, it should quickly clear. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive and before you use tools or machines.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because bottles of eye drops contain preservatives which can affect soft contact lenses. The single-dose units do not contain a preservative.

• Acuda regularmente a las citas con su médico y a la clínica oftalmológica para que puedan comprobar su evolución.

• If you are having an operation or any medical treatment, remember to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are using dorzolamide eye drops.

Can dorzolamide eye drops cause problems?

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 dorzolamide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with the drops. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to store dorzolamide

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• Bottles of eye drops only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened, so do not use the drops if the bottle has been open for longer than this. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.

• Single-dose units should be used as soon as the unit is opened. Do not store or re-use opened units for subsequent doses. This is because the units do not contain any preservative.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos