title: Ocular medications in children.
abstract: Many ocular medications are used by pediatricians or ophthalmologists caring for pediatric patients. Topical antibiotics are commonly prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis, nasolacrimal duct obstructions, and ophthalmia neonatorum. Many new antiallergy eye drops are now available for the treatment of seasonal (hay fever) conjunctivitis. Dilating eye drops and antiglaucoma medications are generally used or prescribed by ophthalmologists, but pediatricians must be aware of their potentially serious systemic side effects. Before initiating treatment, physicians should evaluate the risks and benefits of ophthalmic medications, establish minimum dosages necessary to achieve a therapeutic benefit, and monitor children for local and systemic side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7040, USA.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Steinkuller
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009878:Ophthalmia Neonatorum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions