The below table consists of a list of medicines for use by optometrists registered in the categories of independent practice (I), ocular diagnostics (D) and ocular therapeutics (T), as approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and currently reflected in the Schedules of the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act 101 of 1965).
| Classification | Substance | Schedule | Route | Indications | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Preparations (other) | |||||
| Ophthalmic Preparations (other) | Fluorescein | 1 | Topical | Ocular surface staining in diagnosis of corneal conditions and fitment of hard contact lenses | I, D, T |
| Mydriatic/Cycloplegics | |||||
| Mydriatic/Cycloplegics | Atropine | 3 | Topical | Cycloplegics refraction Treatment of uveitis |
D, T |
| Tropicamide | 3 | Topical | Cycloplegic/mydriatic | D, T | |
| Cyclopentylate | 3 | Topical | Cycloplegic/mydriatic | D, T | |
| Homatropine | 3 | Topical | Cycloplegic/mydriatic | D, T | |
| Sympathomimetic | |||||
| Sympathomimetic | Phenylephrine | 1 | Topical | Minor ocular irritation | D, T |
| Antihistamine/Vasoconstrictor/Mast cell stabilisers | |||||
| Antihistamine/Vasoconstrictor/Mast cell stabilisers | Tetrazoline | 2 | Topical | Minor ocular irritation Red eye |
T |
| Sodium Cromoglycate | 2 | Topical (Drops) | Vernal Kerato conjunctivitis | T | |
| Cetirizine, loratadine, levocetirizine | 2 | Oral | Atopic dermatitis involving the eyelids | T | |
| Oxymetazoline | 2 | Topical (Drops) | Minor ocular irritation Red eye |
T | |
| Antazoline | 2 | Topical | Allergic and atopic conjunctivitis | T | |
| Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory | |||||
| Analgesic and anti-inflammatory | Paracetamol | 1 | Oral | Mild Pain | T |
| Ibuprofen | 1 | Oral | Mild to Moderate Pain | T | |
| Steroidal Anti Inflammatory | |||||
| Steroidal Anti Inflammatory | Hydrocortisone | 2 | Topical | Dermatitis Eczema atopic/seborrheic eczema |
T |
| Anti-Glaucoma | |||||
| Anti-Glaucoma | Pilocarpine | 3 | Topical (Drops) | Acute glaucoma | T |
| Timolol | 3 | Topical (drops) | Acute glaucoma | T | |
| Betaxolol | 3 | Topical (Drops) | Treatment of open-angle glaucoma in adults | T | |
| Levobunolol | 3 | Topical (Drops) | Treatment of open-angle glaucoma in adults | T | |
| Brimonidine | 3 | Topical (Drops) | Treatment of open-angle glaucoma in adults | T | |
| Prostaglandin Analogues (PGAs) | |||||
| Prostaglandin Analogues (PGAs) | Latanoprost, Travoprost, Bimatoprost | 3, 4 | Drops | Glaucoma | T |
| Local Anaesthetic | |||||
| Local Anaesthetic | Tetracaine | 4 | Topical (Drops) | Diagnostic aide | D, T |
| Oxybuprocaine and other equivalent local anaesthetics | 4 | Topical (Drops) | Diagnostic aide | D, T | |
| Antibacterials | |||||
| Antibacterials | Mupirocin | 2 | Topical | Impetigo (eyelids) External hordeolum Infected atopic dermatitis |
T |
| Chloramphenicol | 4 | Topical (Drops or Ointment) | Bacterial conjunctivitis Anterior blepharitis Posterior blepharitis |
T | |
| Tetracycline | 4 | Topical and oral | Chlamydial conjunctivitis, blepharitis, trachoma | T | |
| Erythromycin | 4 | Topical | Chlamydial conjunctivitis, blepharitis, impetigo (not as 1st line treatment) | T | |
| Doxycycline | 4 | Oral | Trachoma | T | |
| Azithromycin | 4 | Oral | Trachoma | T | |
| Antibiotics | |||||
| Antibiotics | Fusidic acid | 4 | Topical (Drops or Ointment) | Blepharitis and stye | T |
| Neomycin | 4 | Topical (Drops or Ointment) | Blepharitis | T | |
| Bacitracin | 4 | Ointment | Blepharitis | T | |
| Polymyxin B | 4 | Ointment | Blepharitis | T | |
| Antiviral and Antifungal | |||||
| Antiviral and Antifungal | Acyclovir | 4 | Topical | Herpes simplex blepharitis, Conjunctivitis, Epithelial keratitis | T |
Source: Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) - Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians