Dilating eye drops help the optometrist (optician) and the doctor examine your child’s eyes. The drops are called Cyclopentolate hydrochloride 1%.  They take about 30 minutes to work.  Please use the eye drops before you come to your child’s appointment.

Follow these instructions:

Squeeze 1 drop into both eyes , 30 minutes before your appointment

Please refer to the leaflet ‘A guide for Parents/Guardians – Dilating Eye Drops for Children’ for information about the reasons for using the drops and action of the drops. 

If you cannot get the drops in please attend the appointment as arranged or contact the Orthoptic Department for advice. 

Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle: 01228 814 791

Workington Community Hospital: 01900 705 076

Please remember to bring your child’s glasses every time you come to the Eye Department.

Patient label

 

 

 

 

Appointment date/time:  ………………………………………………………

 

How to instill eye drops

  • Check that the drops are within their expiry date (do not use and ring the Orthoptic department if they are not).
  • Ensure you wash your hands before and after using the eye drops.
  • Position your child so they are lying down or sitting with their head tilted back.  It is often easier if there is another adult available to help you.
  • Gently pull down the lower lid and tell the child to look up.
  • Place a drop inside the lower lid of each eye, being careful not to touch the eye with the bottle.
  • Try aiming for the white part of the eye as the drops may sting less than if they go directly onto the coloured part.
  • The drops take approximately 30 minutes to work. Dark eyes may take longer to dilate and may need additional drops at the hospital to ensure accurate testing.
  • If only one pupil appears to enlarge, additional drops may be required in the other eye at the hospital.

If your child gets very distressed this is an alternative way of putting drops in:

  • Lay your child flat on their back with eyes closed.
  • Place a drop onto the inside corner of the closed eyes nearest the nose.
  • Whilst they are still lying, ask your child to open their eyes or gently rub the eyelids so the drop enters the eye.
  • Drops can be instilled whilst your child is asleep, if this fits with the appointment time.

Storage and disposal

  • Keep the eye drops out of reach of children.
  • Store them in the refrigerator (between 2ºC and 8ºC).
  • Dispose of the remainder of the drops safely at home or bring them with you to your appointment.

Please remember

  • Please do not use the drops if your child is unwell or has a slight temperature. It is better to call and rebook the appointment.
  • The drops should only be used for the child undergoing the eye examination.
  • The eye drops are a medicine. If your child becomes severely flushed, irritable or dehydrated once you have used them this may indicate an allergy to this treatment. If this occurs, contact your doctor immediately and notify the eye clinic as soon as possible.

 

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302