This section is about what over the counter treatments are available (not all treatments may be available in that country) and how they help.
Please check all ingredients and check one is not allergic or sensitive to them
If you are a soft contact lens wearer you cannot use preservatives containing benzalkonium at the same time.
Unless stated otherwise (soft contact lens wearers can wear their lens 24 hours after their last drop of completed course (hard lens wearers straight after).
All eye drops (not vials) should be discarded after 28 days of opening unless stated otherwise.
All eyes products can cause blurred vision initially, should clear after blinking.
Ointment/gel may take longer to clear (due to its viscosity, thicker formulation) and should ideally be used just before sleep.
Aim:
To kill the bacteria, reduces the mucus or sticky eye and brings the eye back to its normal function (some styes can take up to three weeks to clear, please be patient, however if you feel its getting worst please see your medical doctor).
Antibiotic eye Drops
Antibiotic (chloramphenicol) eye drops are used in the treatment of infective conjunctivitis.
It must be used as a 5 day course treatment and should be kept in the fridge between 2-8°C.
It should be used one drop every two hours for first 48 hours and then one drop every four hours during waking hours only.
If one sees no improvement in two days or if after course the infection has not cleared, then one should see a medical doctor.
Chloramphenicol eye drops can cause burning or stinging initially which should soon clear.
Chloramphenicol eye drops must not be used:
In the treatment of trivial infections or where it is not indicated, as in colds, influenza, infections of the throat.
History of previous hypersensitivity and/or toxic reaction to it.
Aplastic anaemia- Aplastic anaemia is a serious condition affecting the blood, where the bone marrow and stem cells do not produce enough blood cells.
Chloramphenicol eye drops should not be given to a child under two years old unless a Medical professional prescribes it otherwise:
It has a high boron content which may impair fertility.
It may cause Gray baby syndrome is a condition in which an infant experiences a life-threatening reaction to the antibiotic Chloramphenicol. It is more prevalent in premature infants since an adverse reaction is directly related to the liver’s ability to break down and process the medication.
Antibiotic (chloramphenicol) eye ointment is also available and is ideal to use just before bedtime with Chloramphenicol eye drops during the waking hours.
If one wants to use Chloramphenicol oint on its own then apply every 6 hours for first 48 hrs and then every 12 hrs thereafter for 5 days.
If there is no improvement after two days or the infection has not cleared after the course one should see a medical doctor.
The ointment when applied is visible; however one needs to use less regularly than eye drops.
Chloramphenicol can cause burning or stinging initially which should soon clear.
Chloramphenicol eye drops must not be used:
In the treatment of trivial infections or where it is not indicated, as in colds, influenza, infections of the throat.
History of previous hypersensitivity and/or toxic reaction to it.
Aplastic anaemia- Aplastic anaemia is a serious condition affecting the blood, where the bone marrow and stem cells do not produce enough blood cells.
Chloramphenicol eye ointment should not be given to a child under two years old unless a Medical professional prescribes it otherwise:
It may cause Gray baby syndrome is a condition in which an infant experiences a life-threatening reaction to the antibiotic Chloramphenicol. It is more prevalent in premature infants since an adverse reaction is directly related to the liver’s ability to break down and process the medication.
These have antibacterial properties, antifungal and trypanocidal activity.
Eye drops are ideal to use during waking hours. If the condition has not improved in 2 days or if the infection has not cleared after 5 days of treatment then see your medical doctor.
Antibacterial eye ointment
These have antibacterial properties, antifungal and trypanocidal activity.
Ointments can be used alone or can be used just before bed together with eye drops during waking hours. .
If the condition has not improved in 2 days or if the infection has not cleared after 5 days of treatment then see your medical doctor.
The ointment formulation when applied is visible; however one needs to use less regularly than eye drops.
Salt Water Sachets/drops (sodium chloride)
Salt has natural antiseptic properties.
Sachets are used to irrigate/wash the eye out and hence remove bacteria.
Drops are ideal to carry and less messy and again are used to wash the eye out and fight the bacteria.
Wipes
Wipes are available to clean the eye.
Eye Wash
Help to flood the eye and remove bacteria. They also have antiseptic properties, from plant extracts.
