What happens when you put more drops than recommended eye drops?
Putting more eye drops than recommended can lead to several unwanted effects:
Overdose: Using more eye drops than prescribed can cause an overdose of medication, potentially leading to side effects and complications.
Increased side effects: Higher concentrations of the eye drop medication may cause more pronounced and severe side effects. These may include eye irritation, redness, dryness, itching, blurred vision, or discomfort.
Drug interactions: Using more than one eye drop at once or exceeding the recommended dosage can increase the risk of interactions between different medications. This can result in unexpected or harmful side effects.
Delayed healing: Excessive eye drop use may not necessarily speed up the healing process and could even delay it in some cases. Overuse can affect the natural functioning of the eye's tear film and disrupt its normal balance, hampering the healing process.
Rebound effect: Using more eye drops than needed for an extended period can lead to a phenomenon called "rebound" or "tolerance" effect. This occurs when the eye becomes dependent on the medication, and upon discontinuation, symptoms may worsen or return more intensely.
Systemic absorption: Some eye drops can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the eye's surface or other tissues around the eye. Using excessive drops may increase the risk of systemic side effects, including those affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, or nervous systems, depending on the type of eye drop.
Ocular surface damage: Long-term overuse of certain eye drops, particularly those containing preservatives, can damage the surface of the eye. Preservatives, used to prevent bacterial contamination of eye drops, can cause irritation and inflammation when used excessively.
It is important to follow the recommended dosage and frequency for eye drops as prescribed by a healthcare professional to avoid these potential problems. If you're experiencing any unusual symptoms or side effects from eye drops, consult your doctor or pharmacist.