Isopto Atropine 1% Eye Drop

Isopto Atropine 1% Eye Drop contains atropine sulfate 1%, an anticholinergic eye drop that relaxes the muscles inside the eye, causing the pupil to widen (mydriasis) and the eye’s focusing muscle to relax (cycloplegia). It is manufactured by Alcon and used to relieve pain and inflammation in conditions such as uveitis and iritis, and to fully dilate the pupil for certain eye examinations, including cycloplegic refraction. This medicine is not used to treat glaucoma and, unlike glaucoma eye drops, can raise pressure inside the eye in susceptible individuals.

Atropine works by blocking muscarinic receptors in the iris and ciliary muscle. This relaxes the muscle that constricts the pupil and the muscle used for near-focusing, widening the pupil and temporarily paralysing accommodation. In inflamed eyes, this relaxation also helps reduce painful muscle spasm and limits the formation of adhesions between the iris and lens.

Atropine competitively blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle. This prevents these muscles from contracting, so the pupil widens and the eye’s ability to focus on near objects is temporarily lost. In inflammatory eye conditions, relaxing the ciliary muscle and iris also reduces painful spasm and helps prevent the iris from sticking to the lens.

Wash your hands before use. Tilt your head back, gently pull down the lower eyelid to form a small pocket, and instil one drop without letting the dropper tip touch the eye or eyelid. Close your eye and press gently on the inner corner near the nose for about a minute to reduce systemic absorption. Expect blurred near vision and increased light sensitivity for some time after each dose – wearing sunglasses outdoors can help with the light sensitivity.

The usual dose of Isopto Atropine 1% Eye Drop is one drop in the affected eye(s), with the frequency (often once daily to a few times a week) depending on the condition being treated. Your doctor will confirm the exact dose, frequency, and duration for your situation, as the effects on pupil size and focusing can last for a week or more after stopping.

Use this product before the expiry date stated on the packaging. Do not use the medicine if the expiry date has passed.

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.

• Known hypersensitivity to atropine or any ingredient in this product
• Angle-closure glaucoma or a narrow anterior chamber angle – atropine can precipitate a dangerous rise in intraocular pressure (acute angle-closure attack) in susceptible eyes
• Use with caution in infants and young children, who are more sensitive to systemic anticholinergic effects

• Other anticholinergic medicines (e.g. certain antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, some antispasmodics) may add to atropine’s systemic effects such as dry mouth or urinary retention
• Other eye drops used at the same time should be given at least 5 minutes apart to avoid one washing out the other

• Wear sunglasses outdoors, as light sensitivity is common after dosing
• Expect blurred near vision for some time – avoid tasks needing sharp close-up focus, such as reading fine print, until it clears
• Press gently on the inner corner of the eye after each drop to limit absorption into the rest of the body
• Seek urgent care for sudden eye pain, redness, or vision changes, which can signal raised eye pressure
• Keep this medicine well out of reach of children, as accidental ingestion can be dangerous
• Tell your doctor if you or your child have ever been told you have narrow drainage angles or angle-closure glaucoma risk