Oral antibiotics for an eye infection: what to know

An infection near the eye is not the same as infection on the eye surface. Conjunctivitis commonly affects the surface and may need local care, while an infection of the eyelid or nearby skin may require medicine that travels through the bloodstream. A clinician also considers whether the cause is bacterial, viral, fungal or non-infectious. Some bacteria need a specific medicine, and resistance can make a commonly used antibiotic unsuitable. The presence of discharge or redness alone cannot determine the correct tablet.

Seek a clinical assessment rather than starting a household supply of antibiotics. Tell the clinician about contact-lens use, recent eye injury, operations, allergies, pregnancy, other medicines and immune problems. Keep the eye clean with gentle hand hygiene and avoid rubbing it. If oral treatment is prescribed, follow the label, do not share doses, and contact the prescriber if vomiting, a widespread rash or severe diarrhoea develops. Do not stop or extend treatment without advice.

Get urgent help for reduced vision, severe eye pain, strong sensitivity to light, swelling that is spreading around the eye, fever, confusion, or pain when moving the eye. Urgency is also higher after an injury or in someone who wears contact lenses. These signs can accompany infection beyond the superficial eye and need direct examination.

Ask where the infection is located, what cause is suspected, whether a sample or eye examination is needed, and how quickly improvement should be expected. Confirm which symptoms mean the infection is spreading and whether an eye specialist should review you.