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Atropine vs. Isopto Carpine

Atropine (Isopto Atropine) is an eye medication that's used to dilate or widen the pupil (the black part of your eye). It's also used to treat lazy eye. This medication is an anticholinergic that works to make the pupil bigger. Atropine (Isopto Atropine) comes as eye drops and an eye ointment. The usual dosage is to apply the medication to the eye(s) 1 to 2 times daily. It can be used in people 3 months and up according to the eye specialist's instructions. Side effects include temporary eye pain, stinging, eye sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. Atropine (Isopto Atropine) is available as a brand-name and generic medication.

• Pupil dilation (e.g., for eye exams) - eye drops and eye ointment
• Temporary paralysis of the eye muscle (cycloplegia) - eye drops and eye ointment
• Treatment for lazy eye - eye drops only

• Eye pain
• Eye stinging
• Blurry vision
• Eye sensitivity to light
• Dry eyes

• Light sensitivity and blurry vision
• Rise in blood pressure
• Greater risk of side effects in people with certain medical conditions affecting the nervous system

Generic pilocarpine eye drops, formerly known by the brand name Isopto Carpine, are used to treat and prevent high eye pressure. They're also used to shrink the pupil (the black part of your eye), typically before certain eye procedures. This medication belongs to the drug class called cholinergic agonists. The usual dosage is 1 drop in the eye(s) up to 4 times a day. Side effects can include headache, temporary blurry vision, and eye irritation.

• High pressure in the eye
• Glaucoma (open-angle or acute angle-closure)
• Prevention of high eye pressure due to laser eye surgery
• Shrinking the size of the pupils (miosis)

Side effects occurring in 5% or more of people:

• Headache or eyebrow ache
• Difficulty focusing when looking at objects at different distances
• Blurry vision
• Eye irritation
• Worse vision
• Eye pain

Note: Side effects listed were reported by people who used the 2% strength of pilocarpine eye drops with Betoptic-S (betaxolol) 0.25% eye drops.

• Worse vision
• Retinal detachment
• Not recommended for people with inflamed iris
• Higher eye pressure in children
• Don't wear soft contact lenses when you use pilocarpine eye drops