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
Brand | Generic | Dosing | Amount | Ages | Pregnancy | Mechanism |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
amoxicillin | 500mg po bid-tid x10d | 250/500/875mg | >3 months | B | penicillin | |
amoxicillin clavulanate | 250-500mg po bid-tid x10d | 250/500/875mg | >3 months | B | penicillin β-lactamase inhibitor | |
azithromycin 1% | bid x2d, then qd x5d | 2.5mL | >1 year | B | macrolide | |
bacitracin | qd-tid | 1/3.5g (ung) | All ages | C | polypeptide | |
besifloxacin 0.6% | tid | 5mL | >1 year | C | fluoroquinolone | |
ciprofloxacin 0.3% | qid-q15m | 2.5/5/10mL (gtt) 3.5g (ung) | >1 year | C | fluoroquinolone | |
dicloxacillin | 250mg po qid | 250/500mg | >3 months | B | penicillin | |
cephalexin | 1-4g/d po | 250/500/750mg | >1 year | B | cephalosporin | |
moxifloxacin 0.5% | bid | 3mL | >4 months | C | fluoroquinolone | |
neomycin polymyxin b gramicidin | q4h x7-10d | 10mL | NA | C | aminoglycoside polymyxin gramicidin | |
ofloxacin 0.3% | q2h-qid | 5/10mL | >1 year | C | fluoroquinolone | |
bacitracin zinc polymyxin b | varies | 3.5g | NA | C | polypeptide polymyxin | |
trimethoprim 0.1% polymyxin b | q3h | 10mL | >2 months | C | sulfonamide polymyxin | |
doxycycline | 100mg po bid x7d | 50/100mg | >8 years | D | tetracycline | |
moxifloxacin 0.5% | tid | 3mL | NA | C | fluoroquinolone | |
azithromycin | bid po x1d, then qd po x4d | 250mg x6 250/500/600mg | >6 months | B | macrolide | |
gatifloxacin 0.3% | q2h-qid | 5mL | >1 year | C | fluoroquinolone | |
gatifloxacin 0.5% | q2h-qid | 2.5/5mL | >1 year | C | fluoroquinolone |