In order to prepare the eye for an ophthalmological examination, it is common to use mydriatic eye drops. The latter makes it possible to dilate the pupil and to force the resting of the accommodation of the eye. But, used incorrectly, these drugs can cause serious adverse effects in children.
On April 5, 2023, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) warned of the consequences that could result from incorrect administration of these drops in the youngest. Indeed, if they pass into the bloodstream, they can reach the digestive, cardiovascular and/or central nervous system.
In detail, the Medicines Agency lists the symptoms that should immediately lead to a medical consultation: a sudden and high fever, a change in behavior, attention disorders, headaches, dizziness, disorders of the balance, high blood pressure, digestive problems (swelling in the abdomen), loss of bowel muscle movement (ileus), partial or total blockage of the bowel (obstruction) in newborns and premature.
In most cases, the undesirable effects appear between twenty and thirty minutes after the administration of the eye drops. If the inconvenience disappears between four and six hours, it can persist in some cases for up to 12 or even 24 hours. “After the examination, the dilation of the eye may persist for several hours and the child may present non-serious symptoms, such as redness on the face and dryness in the mouth”, underlines the ANSM.
In order to limit the risk of these effects appearing, the Medicines Agency recalls the importance of respecting the contraindications mentioned in the instructions, of scrupulously following the methods of administration and the maximum dosages. “After administering eye drops, press the inner corner of the child’s eye for one to two minutes and wipe the child’s cheek. This avoids any ingestion or absorption by contact with the skin and thus limits the passage of the product into the bloodstream,” recommends the ANSM. To reduce the risk, it is recommended to check the storage information indicated on the eye drops, to respect the dosage and systematically note the date of opening on the bottle.
The ANSM also recommends using this eye drops with caution in “children with a neurological disease, such as Down’s syndrome (chromosomal abnormality), spastic paralysis (paralysis of muscles that contract involuntarily) or brain damage” .
