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Atropine

Amblyopia, or "lazy eye," is the most common cause of visual impairment in children. It happens when an eye fails to work properly with the brain. The eye may look normal, but the brain favors the other eye. In some cases, it can affect both eyes. Causes include:

  • Strabismus - a disorder in which the two eyes don't line up in the same direction
  • Refractive error in an eye - when one eye cannot focus as well as the other, because of a problem with its shape. This includes nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
  • Cataract - a clouding in the lens of the eye

It can be hard to diagnose amblyopia. It is often found during a routine vision exam.

Treatment for amblyopia forces the child to use the eye with weaker vision. There are two common ways to do this. One is to have the child wear a patch over the good eye for several hours each day, over a number of weeks to months. The other is with eye drops that temporarily blur vision. Each day, the child gets a drop of a drug called atropine in the stronger eye. It is also sometimes necessary to treat the underlying cause. This could include glasses or surgery.

NIH: National Eye Institute


WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.

Physician's Materia Medica on Atropine

ATROPINE
   Alkaloid obtained from Belladonna and other Solanaceous plants. Powerfully mydriatic, anodyne, antispasmodic, deliriant; stimulates respiratory center, suppresses secretions of skin and mucous mem brane; antagonistic to morphine. See Belladonna. Dose, 0.0003 to 9.0013 Grm. (1-200 to 1-50 gr.).1

CALABAR BEAN (Physostigma).PHVE11
   The seeds of PHYSOSTIGMA VENENOSUM, Bali. Deprossant of motor tract of spinal cord; used in tetanus and in strychnine poison ing to control spasms, in constipation, and to counteract the effect of atropine on the eye.1

DUBOISIADUBOI
   The leaves of DUBOISIA MYOPOROIDES, R. Br. Resembles Bella donna in its medicinal properties, but more distinctly hypnotic and calmative. The extract, also the alkaloid derived from the leaves, is used to produce mydriasis, its action being more prompt than that of atropine, and the effect passing off more quickly.1

HENBANE (Hyoscyamus)HYOSC
   The leaves of HYOSCYAMUS NIGER, Lin. Anodyne, antispasmodic, hypnotic. Often prescribed in acute mania, hypochondriasis, de lirium tremens, dementia accompanied with excitement; in cough mixtures; associated with cathartics to prevent griping; as a sedative for children. taking the place of opium; for nausea of pregnancy, etc. Contains Hyoscine, q. v., as its most important active constituent (associated with Hyoscyamine and Atropine). Dose, 0.3 to 1.0 Grm. (5 to 15 grs.).1

HYOSCINE
   Alkaloid obtained from HYOSCYAMUS NIGER, Lin. Identified by some with Scopolamine, cbtained from Scopola atropoides, which is at least isomeric with it. and is now almost universally substituted for it as it is in the following preparations. Mydriatic like atropine, but quite different in its medicinal action, which is that of a sedative and hypnotic. Dose, 0.00015 to 0.0012 (1-400 to 1-50 gr.).1

HYOSCYAMINE
   Alkaloid found in many mydriatic drugs; closely related to Atropine and isomeric with that alkaloid. Dose, 0.0003 to’ 0.0015 (1-200 to 1-40 gr.). b. iron Hypophosphite (Ferrous or Ferric). Hematic tonic as well as nerve food. Dose, 0.03 to 0.30 Grm. (1/2 to 5 grs.).1

OPIUM
   Concrete milky exudation obtained from the capsules of PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM, Lin. A type of narcotics; anodyne, hypnotic; dimin ishes secretions, except that of the skin; tends to cause constipation. Its effects are modified by combination with Atropine, which antago nizes some of its unpleasant effects and Ipecac, whose diaphoretic action it notably increases. Average sedative dose for an adult, 0.06 Grm. (1 gr.).1


References

1) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.