Editing Eye drop (section)

== Types and uses ==
Different pharmacological classes of eye drops can be recognized by patients by their different colored tops. For instance, the tops to dilating drops are a different color than anti-allergy drops.

===Dry eyes===
Eyes drops sometimes do not have medications in them and are only lubricating and tear-replacing solutions. There is a wide variety of [[artificial tear]] eye drops that provide different surface healing strategies. One can find bicarbonate ions, [[Hypotonicity#Hypotonicity|hypotonicity]], high [[viscosity]] gels and ointments, and non-preserved types. They all act differently and therefore, one may have to try different artificial tears to find the one that works the best.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jayden|first1=Wills|title=New breakthrough product to help put eye drops in|url=http://www.eyedrophelper.com/product/eye-drop-helper/|website=www.eyedrophelper.com|access-date=31 October 2016|date=1 July 2010|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622111325/https://www.eyedrophelper.com/product/eye-drop-helper/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Steroid and antibiotic eye drops===
Steroid and antibiotic eye drops are used to treat eye [[infections]]. They also have [[prophylactic]] properties and are used to prevent infections after eye surgeries. They should be used for the entire time prescribed without interruptions. The infection may relapse if the use of the medication is stopped.<ref name="medicinenet">{{cite web|url=http://www.medicinenet.com/steroid_and_antibiotic_eye_drops/article.htm| title=Generic Name: Steroid and Antibiotic Eye Drops|access-date=2010-05-03}}</ref>

===Pink eye===
Antibiotic eye drops are prescribed when infection [[conjunctivitis]] is caused by bacteria but not when it is caused by a virus. In the case of allergic conjunctivitis, artificial tears can help dilute irritating allergens present in the tear film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/conjunctivitis.htm#treatment| title=Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Treatments|access-date=2010-05-03}}</ref>

===Allergies===
Some eye drops may contain [[histamine antagonists]] or [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]] (NSAIDs), which suppress the optical mast cell responses to allergens including (but not limited to) aerosolized dust particles.

===Glaucoma===
Eye drops used in managing [[glaucoma]] help the eye's [[fluid]] to drain better and decrease the amount of fluid made by the eye which decreases eye pressure. They are classified by their active ingredient and they include: [[prostaglandin analogs]], [[beta blockers]], alpha agonists, and [[carbonic anhydrase inhibitors]]. There are also combination drugs available for those patients who require more than one type of medication.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glaucoma.org/treating/glaucoma_medica.php|title=Glaucoma Medications and Their Side Effects|access-date=2010-05-03|archive-date=2014-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822035121/http://www.glaucoma.org/treatment/medication-guide.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Mydriatic eye drops===
These make the eye's [[pupil]] widen to maximum, to let an [[optometrist]] have the best view inside the [[eyeball]] behind the iris. Afterwards in sunny weather they can cause dazzling and [[photophobia]] until the effect of the [[mydriatic]] has worn off.

In some countries including [[Russia]] and [[Italy]], Tropicamide, a mydriatic eye drop, is used to some degree as an inexpensive recreational drug.<ref name="GHP">{{cite journal |last1=Bersani |first1=Francesco Saverio |last2=Corazza |first2=Ornella |last3=Simonato |first3=Pierluigi |last4=Mylokosta |first4=Anna |last5=Levari |first5=Ermelinda |last6=Lovaste |first6=Raffaele |last7=Schifano |first7=Fabrizio |title=Drops of madness? Recreational misuse of tropicamide collyrium; early warning alerts from Russia and Italy |journal=General Hospital Psychiatry |date=September 2013 |volume=35 |issue=5 |pages=571–573 |doi=10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2013.04.013 |pmid=23706777 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23706777/ |issn=1873-7714}}</ref> Like other anticholinergics, when taken recreationally, tropicamide acts as a deliriant. When injected intravenously, as is most often the case, the tropicamide may cause problems such as slurred speech, unconsciousness, unresponsiveness, hallucinations, kidney pain, dysphoria, hyperthermia, tremors, suicidal tendency, convulsions, psychomotor agitation, tachycardia and headache.<ref name="GHP"/>