A mum has issued a warning over eyedrops as her son almost died after licking a droplet that rolled down his cheek. Katelyn Clement rushed her son Milo Nicholson to hospital when the five-year-old reportedly suffered an allergic reaction to antibacterial eye drops. The 25-year-old was giving Milo his second dose of eye drops when a tiny droplet of product dripped down his cheek and into his mouth.
Within minutes, Katelyn said Milo began uncontrollably coughing and soon became unable to breathe. The mum-of-two, who lives in , rushed Milo to hospital where doctors told her he’d suffered a severe allergic reaction to the eye drops.
Katelyn said she feared for her son’s life as he dropped in and out of consciousness due to his swollen throat. After researching the ingredients of Optrex’s eye drops, Katelyn discoveredthe product contained chloramphenicol – an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
According to the website, you should seek emergency treatment if your child swallows chloramphenicol ointment or drops. Warnings are included on the Optrex packaging about allergic reactions to ingredients within the product.
Optrex said they were sorry to hear about the incident but explained that all their products come with warnings and said that as it was medication, it is ‘important that the usage instructions are followed’.
Katelyn said: “Milo had what seemed to be conjunctivitis in his right eye. The pharmacy prescribed me Optrex. I gave Milo the first dose in the eye and that was fine. I hadn’t used Optrex on him before.
