Antibiotic Eye Drops: Used For Treatment Of Bacterial Eye Infections

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Antibiotic eye drops are a type of medicine used to treat certain types of eye infections like bacterial infections which might cause redness, tearing, and drainage. These infections are sometimes highly contagious.

The antibiotic eye drop is eye drops which are prescribed by the doctor to treat bacterial eye infection. These types of eye drops help to kill the bacteria which has entered the eye to cause the bacterial infection.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES FOR BACTERIAL INFECTIONS?

Bacterial eye infections have two main causes:

  1. Bacterial conjunctivitis: bacterial conjunctivitis is a type of pink eye that is caused by bacteria as suggested by the name itself. It is the most common type of bacterial eye infection and is highly contagious. It can spread by contact with the infected person by contaminated surfaces.
  2. Contact-Lens eye infections: Wearing a dirty contact lens or wearing the contact lens overnight can cause bacterial eye infections.

DO ANTIBIOTIC EYE DROPS ONLY TREAT BACTERIAL EYE INFECTIONS?

Yes, antibiotic eye drops can only treat bacterial eye infections. They cannot treat other eye infections such as:

  1. ALLERGIC CONJUCTIVITIS: This type of eye irritation is because of an allergic reaction like pollen or dust. Antibiotic eye drop cannot relieve the symptoms of this type of infection.
  2. VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS: This type of infection is highly contagious and is caused by “Adenovirus”. It causes irritation, photophobia, and watery eyes. Antibiotics cannot treat viral conjunctivitis.
  3. FUNGAL EYE INFECTIONS: this is a type of infection caused by wearing contaminated contact lenses. Antibiotics cannot treat fungal eye infections.

TYPES OF ANTIBIOTIC EYE DROPS:

The types of antibiotic eye drops are:

  1. Tobramycin
  2. Neomycin
  3. Bacitracin
  4. Polymyxin B
  5. Gentamicin

Each of these antibiotics have different action mechanisms to cure your bacterial infections.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIBIOTIC EYE DROPS:

These are the common side effects of Antibiotic eye drops:

  1. Rash
  2. Contact dermatitis
  3. Itching
  4. Inflammation
  5. Red-eye
  6. Momentary blurred vision

These are the few severe side effects:

  1. Irritation
  2. Blurred vision
  3. Pain
  4. Headache
  5. Inflammation of the iris.

These are the rare side effects includes:

  1. Changes in vision
  2. Fungal eye infections
  3. Eye puncture
  4. Ulcer of the cornea
  5. Cataracts
  6. Deterioration of the cornea
  7. Fluid accumulation
  8. Pressure
  9. Injury of the optic nerve
  10. Raised spots on the cornea

THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT ANTIBIOTIC EYE DROPS:

  1. Don’t use other person’s prescription
  2. Don’t use old prescriptions
  3. Keep consulting your doctor to ask about the antibiotic eye drops.
  4. After putting in the eye drop, bright light may irritate you, thus wear sunglasses.
  5. You should not do work that calls for clear eyesight after using an antibiotic eye drop.
  6. If you are pregnant let your eye doctor know first, the eye drops might have some side effects.
  7. If you are breastfeeding let your doctor know as you might have side effects from the antibiotic eye drops.
  8. Never use antibiotic eye drops before or after the time period given by the eye doctor.
  9. Antibiotic eye drop might have severe allergic reactions, your doctor might give you medications to reduce them.

WHEN TO CONSULT A DOCTOR

You should consult a doctor when you think you have any type of eye infection

Symptoms of eye infections are:

  1. Pain
  2. Swollen eyes
  3. Redness
  4. Light sensitivity
  5. Drainage of yellow green pus.

If you have any of these symptoms it is better to consult a doctor and get some treatment for it.

WHAT ARE OVER-THE-COUNTER EYE DROPS?

Over-the-counter eye drops are used to treat Styes And Chalazion. These medications are mostly available without a doctor’s prescription. These medications do not cure the disease, they only reduce the discomfort caused by the medicine.

HOW TO USE ANTIBIOTIC EYE DROPS?

If your doctor has given you a special way to use your medication then follow that procedure otherwise this is a common way to use eye drops:

  1. Use the eye drops only for the stipulated time period.
  2. Antibiotic eye drop is only for your eyes.
  3. Wash your hands with soap before you use the eye drops.
  4. The container tip of the eye drop should not touch your eye, eye lid or skin.
  5. You should take out your contact lens before using antibiotic eye drops.
  6. You should tilt your head to the back and then drop the drug into your eyes.
  7. You should keep your eye closed after putting in the eye drops. Put pressure at the corner of your eye, this will make the eye drop stay in your eyes.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose for your antibiotic eye drop then:

  1. Use the missed dose as soon as your remember.
  2. If it has been a long time and it is now time for your next dose then you should skip that dose and then consult your doctor for safety purposes.
  3. Never take 2 doses at the same time or an extra dose.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic eye drops are the best way to treat bacterial eye infections but only if they are recommended by your eye doctor.

Our eye centre-Eyemantra Eyecare-is well experienced in treating patients with eye problems and eye infections. Consult our well-trained and experienced ophthalmologists if you think you have any symptoms of bacterial infection. Our doctors will suggest you the best antibiotic eye drop if required. Contact us on : Ph:+91-9711115191

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