Bacterial eye infections can be very uncomfortable and unpleasant, often causing redness, tearing, and discharge from the eyes.
What makes these types of eye infections even worse is the fact that they can be highly contagious, which means that if one person in a family has an infection, other family members are likely to will also catch it.
In order to treat bacterial eye infections, your eye doctor may recommend antibiotic eye drops.
What are antibiotic eye drops
Antibiotic eye drops contain medicine that helps fight bacteria that have entered the eye and caused the infection.
The most common bacterial eye infections include:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis. This type of bacterial infection is widespread, especially among children at school, and it can spread easily from person to person. Symptoms include inflammation of the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane that lines the eyelids), redness, itching, burning sensation in the eyes, blurred vision and excessive tearing.
- Contact lens-related eye infections can also be caused by bacteria. Sleeping in contacts or wearing them too long without proper care can create a favorable environment for bacterial growth.
Antibiotic eye drops work by preventing bacterial growth and killing any existing bacteria.
Depending on the severity of your infection, you may need to use these drops for 2-5 days.
Do not use them for longer than 5 days unless instructed by your doctor.
Are antibiotic eye drops good for other eye conditions?
When it comes to treating other common eye problems such as viral or allergic conjunctivitis, dry eyes, glaucoma, corneal abrasions or cataracts, antibiotic drops will not be effective and in some cases may even aggravate the condition.
Different eye conditions require different treatments depending on their cause and severity. For example, redness and irritation from dry eyes can be alleviated with artificial tears, while glaucoma requires prescription eye drops that lower the pressure in the eye.
In short, antibiotic drops should only be used for eye infections caused by bacteria and nothing else.
Important Facts About Antibiotic Eye Drops
- Be sure to use the exact eye drops prescribed by your doctor. Do not substitute another or apply them longer than recommended. Even if you feel better, continue taking the full treatment as prescribed for best results.
- It is important not to store unused antibiotics. Always check the expiry date before using and throw away unused eye drops after they expire.
- Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using eye drops and be sure not to touch the dropper tip directly against your eyes or other surfaces as this may contaminate the drug.
- If you are also taking other medications, be sure to discuss this with your doctor, as some medications may interact with antibiotic eye drops.
Final remarks
If you think you have an eye infection, it is important to consult a doctor before using any type of treatment. Your eye doctor will diagnose your condition and recommend an appropriate course of action such as antibiotic eye drops if needed.
Taking care of your eyes is essential to maintaining good vision and general health, so be sure to have an annual eye exam and see a doctor right away if you suffer an eye injury.
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