Conjunctivitis
Key points about treatments
Conjunctivitis often clears up on its own. But if you have conjunctivitis that's caused by bacteria, ointments or drops that contain antibiotics can help get rid of it more quickly.
In this section we've looked only at treatments for conjunctivitis caused by bacteria.
If you have conjunctivitis caused by an
allergy, your doctor can prescribe eye drops containing cromolyn or medications called antihistamines. These eye drops are also occasionally used to treat conjunctivitis that's caused by a
virus.
1 You might also use decongestant or steroid eye drops for an allergy. We haven't looked at these treatments in detail here.
allergen
If you have an allergy to something, your body overreacts when you're around it. The thing you are allergic to is called an allergen. Most allergens are harmless to most people. But if you're allergic to something, your body's system for fighting infection (your immune system) is too sensitive to that allergen. It triggers changes that we call allergic reactions. For example, pollen is an allergen for many people. If you're allergic to pollen, you'll sneeze and have runny eyes when pollen is in the air.
If you have an allergy to something, your body overreacts when you're around it. The thing you are allergic to is called an allergen. Most allergens are harmless to most people. But if you're allergic to something, your body's system for fighting infection (your immune system) is too sensitive to that allergen. It triggers changes that we call allergic reactions. For example, pollen is an allergen for many people. If you're allergic to pollen, you'll sneeze and have runny eyes when pollen is in the air.
viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
Source:
American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Conjunctivitis preferred practice pattern.
Available at http://www.aao.org (accessed on 2 December 2009).
American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Conjunctivitis preferred practice pattern.
Available at http://www.aao.org (accessed on 2 December 2009).
We've looked closely at the research on bacterial conjunctivitis and found that all treatments are likely to work.
Antibiotics are drugs that attack bacteria. If you have conjunctivitis, you put antibiotics into your eyes as drops or an
ointment. Antibiotics can make your conjunctivitis clear up more quickly.
But the infection will probably go away on its own after a few days without any treatment. It might be worth waiting a few
days to see if your symptoms start to clear up. If they don't, or they get worse, then you may need antibiotics.
You'll need a prescription from your doctor for antibiotic eye drops and ointments. Here are some common ones (and their brand
names).
- azithromycin (AzaSite): eye drops
- bacitracin (AK-Tracin): eye ointment
- ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan): eye drops and ointment
- erythromycin: ointment
- gentamicin (Garamycin, Genoptic): eye drops and ointment
- moxifloxacin (Vigamox): eye drops
- ofloxacin (Ocuflox): eye drops
- sodium sulfacetamide (Bleph 10, Sodium Sulamyd): eye drops
- tobramycin (Tobrex): eye drops and ointment
- trimethoprim/polymyxin B (Polytrim): eye drops
Sources for the information on this page:
This information was last updated on Dec 08, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2010. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2010. All rights reserved.
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