Anti-biotic Eye Drops For Treatment Of Conjunctivitis

By Author: Davis Walker
Total Articles: 233

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the transparent membrane called the conjunctiva that lines your eyelids and part of your eyeball. It is often characterised by redness of the eye by soreness and itching and yellowish discharge from the eye that can leave a crust formation on the lashes during the night. It is contagious thus it must be treated immediately. The recommended treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause of the infection, an allergic reaction or an irritant.

If the infection has lasted for more than two weeks and is particularly severe, your general practitioner will prescribe antibiotic eye drops for conjuntivitis. These are the two main types of antibiotics that may be prescribed:

1) Chloramphenicol
2) Fusidic acid

Chloramphenicol: It comes in the form of drops and is usually the first choice of doctors. It can be used as follows:

• Put one drop in the infected eye for every two hours in the first two days.
• Put one drop in the infected eye for every four hours in the next five days.

You should only use the drops while you are awake. If you notice your symptoms improving within the first five days, you may continue to use the eye drops for another two days.

If eye drops are not suitable, you may be prescribed the antibiotic as an eye ointment.

Fusidic acid: It is prescribed if Chloramphenicol does not suit you. It is better for children and elderly people as you don’t need to use it often. It is also the most preferred treatment for pregnant women. It comes in the form of eye drops which are normally used twice a day for seven regular days.

Antibiotic eye drops differ for different age groups. The strength and type of antibiotic eye drop prescribed will be different for pregnant mothers and diabetics, people having eye injuries, blood pressure or thyroid related disorders.

Antihistamines:

If you are suffering from allergic conjunctivitis and you require a rapid relief, your health care provider should probably prescribe a medicine known as an antihistamine. These drugs work by blocking the action of the chemical histamine. Histamine is released from the body when it thinks that it is under the attack from an allergen. This prevents allergic reactions. Antazoline with xylometazoline is an antihistamine available over the counter in any local pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, a few antihistamine eye drops may not be suitable for you.