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Health Centres - Minims Proxymetacaine and Fluorescein
How does it work?
Proxymetacaine is a local anaesthetic. It is used to block temporarily pain "messages" that are sent along the nerves connecting the eyes to the brain.
Fluorescein is a chemical dye used to identify and locate damage to the surface of the eye. It can only enter damaged cells of the eye. Fluorescein will stain (temporarily)any cells it enters and therefore marks any damaged areas of the eye.
The stain temporarily caused by fluorescein differs according to the part of the eye affected. Damage to the lining of the eye socket (conjunctiva) will stain yellow or orange. Damage to the front covering of the eyeball (cornea) will stain green. This enables the damaged areas of the eye to be detected accurately. Fluorescein can also be used to find foreign bodies, such as grit, in the eye, as they show up surrounded by a green ring.
The use of fluorescein in the eye can be painful. Therefore, proxymetacaine is included in this preparation to minimise the discomfort that can occur while detecting areas of damage or unwanted particles in the eye.
What is it used for?
- Detection of damage to the eye
- Unwanted particles stuck in the eye
Warning!
- This medicine may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied it into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.
- The cornea may be damaged by prolonged application of anaesthetic eyedrops.
Not to be used in
- Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Stinging sensation in the eye
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
No reported significant interactions.
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