Antibiotic Medications in Eye Care

Ocular Antibiotic Medication Management

Antibiotic eye medications are an indispensable tool in optometric practice, providing effective treatment for a range of bacterial infections including bacterial conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and blepharitis. These medications are also crucial for preventing postoperative infections following ocular surgeries such as cataract removal or LASIK/PRK. The variety of antibiotic treatments available, from eye drops to ointments and oral medications, allows eye care professionals to select the most appropriate medication based on the specific pathogen and infection severity.

Ophthalmic Antibiotic Medications

BrandGenericDosingAmountAgesPregnancyMechanism
Amoxil
GenericPO
amoxicillin500mg po bid-tid x10d250/500/875mg>3 monthsBpenicillin
Augmentin
GenericPO
amoxicillin
clavulanate
250-500mg po bid-tid x10d250/500/875mg>3 monthsBpenicillin
β-lactamase inhibitor
Azasite
azithromycin 1%bid x2d, then qd x5d2.5mL>1 yearBmacrolide
Baciguent
Generic
bacitracinqd-tid1/3.5g (ung)All agesCpolypeptide
Besivance
besifloxacin 0.6%tid5mL>1 yearCfluoroquinolone
Ciloxan
Generic
ciprofloxacin 0.3%qid-q15m2.5/5/10mL (gtt)
3.5g (ung)
>1 yearCfluoroquinolone
Diclocil
dicloxacillin250mg po qid250/500mg>3 monthsBpenicillin
Keflex
GenericPO
cephalexin1-4g/d po250/500/750mg>1 yearBcephalosporin
Moxeza
moxifloxacin 0.5%bid3mL>4 monthsCfluoroquinolone
Neosporin
Generic
neomycin
polymyxin b
gramicidin
q4h x7-10d10mLNACaminoglycoside
polymyxin
gramicidin
Ocuflox
Generic
ofloxacin 0.3%q2h-qid5/10mL>1 yearCfluoroquinolone
Polysporin
GenericOTC
bacitracin zinc
polymyxin b
varies3.5gNACpolypeptide
polymyxin
Polytrim
Generic
trimethoprim 0.1%
polymyxin b
q3h10mL>2 monthsCsulfonamide
polymyxin
Vibramycin
GenericPO
doxycycline100mg po bid x7d50/100mg>8 yearsDtetracycline
Vigamox
Generic
moxifloxacin 0.5%tid3mLNACfluoroquinolone
Z-Pak
GenericPO
azithromycinbid po x1d, then qd po x4d250mg x6
250/500/600mg
>6 monthsBmacrolide
Zymar
gatifloxacin 0.3%q2h-qid5mL>1 yearCfluoroquinolone
Zymaxid
gatifloxacin 0.5%q2h-qid2.5/5mL>1 yearCfluoroquinolone