Every so often I use pilocarpine to constrict my pupils. (Maybe once a week) For several hours it helps my night vision. It also makes the white part of my eye somewhat red. Would it be okay to use eye drops such as (Bausch & Lomb) Opcon-A to reduce the redness since I don't do it very often?

Bilateral RK 1992
OD IOL due to lens opacity February 2005

P.S. I've also used Alphagan P to constrict my pupils for better night vision. It helps and lasts longer but it is not quite as effective as pilocarpine.

I know my reply is dated by 2 1/2 months but if you're still out there somewhere here goes: pilocarpine will dilate your conjunctival vessels and cause injected eyes (ie red eyes). This is just a side effect of the medication. Now, by then using Opcon A or any of the other -cons or decongestants you will in effect counteract the pilocarpine effect of small pupils. A side effect of Opcon is dilation of your pupils. My question is why you're using pilocarpine? Is that the best your ECP can do for your aberrations? You're lucky you don't have the typical heavy brow aches and do you know that it can reduce your eye pressures, too? Too low of an eye pressure with pilo or alphagan is not good either. Why don't you try the vanity light while you drive? It will take a little getting used to and yes everybody will see you but isn't that a good idea with your vision situation? Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by FrankC:

P.S. I've also used Alphagan P to constrict my pupils for better night vision. It helps and lasts longer but it is not quite as effective as pilocarpine.

What strength pilocarpine are you using? I use 1/8%. I make it by adding 1ml of 2% to a 15ml bottle of artificial tears. The dilute product doesn't bother my eyes and works well to shrink the pupils.

I do not dilute. I use it full strength as marked on the bottle (1%). I don't use it very often, maybe once a week. It is helpful for approx. 2-3 hours then it starts to wear off.

Frank

FrankC,

I would take a cue from koneall. 1/8% works well and is safer, with fewer headaches, less redness. Patients also use Alphagan, an off-label use that reduces the pupils' ability to dilate in low light conditions. Some patients complain of redness with this product, also, but with really no other side effects. Alphagan-P is a little milder (0.15% instead of 0.20%) and should cause less redness.

I found Alphagan doesn't constrict my pupils enough. I think it paralyses the muscle so the pupils don't dilate in low light. Pilocarpine does a better job of constriction. I tried full-strength pilo and it gave me a vicious headache.

koneall,

How often do you use pilocarpine? I try to limit my usage to special events such as concerts, theater, night baseball games and the like.

Frank

Occasionally I need to drive after sunset and use the drops first. Sometimes I use them just to see the TV clearly. I get the same effect from RGP lenses but they are always a pain to use.

I just had PRK in one eye, in hopes it might help the night vision. Right now I can't see #### with that eye.

Has anyone tried the lower dose of Alphagan P? See below, source OSN Supersite website:

IRVINE, Calif. — A lower-dose version of a common glaucoma drug is now available, according to an Allergan press release.

Allergan is now marketing Alphagan P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1% to lower IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Alphagan P 0.1% is the “lowest effective dose of brimonidine,” Allergan said in the release.

“Results from a 12-month clinical trial show that IOP reductions with new Alphagan P 0.1% ophthalmic solution were clinically equivalent to the original Alphagan 0.2%,” Allergan said. There was less than a 1-mm-Hg difference between the two dosing levels in patients who were followed over 12 months.