Atropine Eye Drops for Amblyopia

Important information:

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a common eye condition where one eye is stronger than the other.  Without treatment, eyesight will be reduced. Your team has prescribed atropine eye drops. Giving this medicine in the stronger eye will help to strengthen the weaker eye. Then both eyes should learn to work better together.

Expected side effects of atropine:

  • Atropine may sting for a few seconds. This is normal and is not a reason to stop using it.

  • Vision will be blurry in the eye getting the drops. This usually improves in a day or so. However, the eye may still appear dilated (large).

  • Your child's eyes may cross. This is normal.

  • The pupil is the black center of the eye. It may stay large for about a week in the eye receiving the drops. Don't worry! This will return to its normal size.

  • Your child may be sensitive to light. Sunglasses or a brimmed hat are helpful in bright lights or sun.

Patient instructions:

  • Your healthcare provider will tell you which eye will get the drops and when to give them.

  • Keep your child busy with coloring, games and other activities that encourage them to use their eyes.

  • Encourage your child and try to make it a fun experience but remember that this treatment is necessary for your child's vision.

Safety:

  • Keep this medicine in its original, labeled container. Keep it tightly closed, and out of reach of children. It can be poisonous if swallowed.

  • Wash your hands before and after giving the medicine so that it does not get into your eye accidentally and cause blurred vision and enlarged pupils.

  • Notify your child's teachers, healthcare providers and other caregivers of this treatment.

Allergy to atropine:

  • Do not use this medicine if your child is allergic to any of its ingredients.

  • Tell your team if your child has ever had a reaction to atropine.

  • Atropine allergies are very rare and happen in about 1% of people. Stop using the medicine immediately and call your healthcare team if your child has:

    • Eye redness, swelling or itching that lasts more than 15 minutes

    • Dizziness or flushing

    • A change in heartbeat or behavior

Division of Ophthalmology

8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday
215-590-2791

Evenings, weekends, and holidays
215-590-1000, ask the hospital operator for the ophthalmology resident on-call

Non-urgent questions
Send a message through the MyCHOP portal.

  

 

Reviewed July 2025, by Ivy Kuhn, MSN, CRNP; De’Shon Toner,MSN,CRNP