Antibiotics for bacterial conjunctivitis

A clinician may recommend antibiotic eye drops or ointment when the pattern suggests a bacterial infection, particularly with thick discharge or eyelids that stick together. Mild cases can settle without antibiotics, so treatment depends on the examination, symptoms and individual risk factors.

Antibiotic drops and ointments act against susceptible bacteria on the eye surface. They cannot relieve conjunctivitis caused by a virus, allergy or irritation. Redness alone does not establish the cause; the type of discharge, whether one or both eyes are involved, contact-lens use and other symptoms help guide the diagnosis.

Ointment can temporarily blur vision because it coats the eye. Drops may be easier to use during the day. The prescriber chooses the medicine and schedule according to the clinical picture, allergies and any other eye treatments.

Use the prescribed medicine for the full instructed course, even if the eye looks better sooner. Wash and dry your hands before and after each application. Avoid touching the bottle or tube tip to the eye, eyelid, fingers or another surface, and do not share eye medicine. If you use more than one eye product, follow the spacing and order given by your clinician or pharmacist.

Gently clean discharge from closed eyelids with clean material and fresh water, using a separate piece for each eye. Do not share towels, pillowcases, cosmetics or eye drops. Stop wearing contact lenses and use glasses until an eye-care professional says it is suitable to restart; ask whether lenses, the case or eye makeup used during the infection should be replaced.

Arrange prompt assessment for eye pain, light sensitivity, intense redness, worsening swelling, or blurred vision that remains after discharge is wiped away. Sudden loss of vision needs emergency care. A newborn with a red or discharging eye also needs urgent medical assessment.

Contact-lens wearers with a red, painful or light-sensitive eye should remove the lenses and obtain prompt eye assessment because the cornea may be involved. Seek review if symptoms worsen, fail to improve after treatment begins, or return after the course. Get help urgently for facial swelling, breathing difficulty or another possible severe reaction after using a medicine.

Ask what features point to a bacterial cause, how many times each day to use the medicine, how long to continue it and what to do after a missed dose. Confirm when contact lenses can be worn again, whether existing lenses or cosmetics should be discarded, and which changes should trigger an earlier review. Mention medication allergies, pregnancy, immune-system conditions and all other eye products you use.