Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, your eyes are red, crusty, and sticky, right? Or maybe you feel a little swollen, painful, and uncomfortable. This ointment is a medicine that doctors often recommend to treat bacterial infections in the eyes. So, let's talk about everything simply and clearly today.
What is this ointment?
Simply put, this is a combination of two antibiotics. That is, it is an ointment made by combining two types of drugs that can kill bacteria. These two drugs are Bacitracin and Polymyxin B. Together, these two fight a number of types of bacteria that cause eye infections and help cure the infection.
This is usually prescribed by a doctor for symptoms of a bacterial infection, such as redness of the eyes, discharge from the eyes, and swelling of the eyelids. Remember, this is not given for viral infections or red eyes caused by other causes. Therefore , never use this type of medication without medical advice.
Things to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she will need to have a complete picture of your health. Therefore, if any of the following apply to you, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Status | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| If you have allergies | Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies, especially to antibiotics such as Bacitracin, Polymyxin B, and Neomycin, as well as to other medications, preservatives, or foods. |
| If you wear contact lenses | Ask your doctor if you can wear contact lenses while taking the medication. They usually tell you to stop wearing contact lenses when you have an infection. |
| If you have kidney disease | Even when applied to the eyes, very small amounts can be absorbed by the body. Therefore, it is important for the doctor to be aware of other medical conditions. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is essential to seek medical advice before using any medication during pregnancy. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | Talk to your doctor to make sure that the ingredients in the medicine can pass to your baby through breast milk. |
Okay, now let's see how to use this exactly.
This is something that needs to be done with some care. Don't worry, I'll simply walk you through it step by step.
1. Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after applying the medicine. This is very important to prevent the spread of infection.
2. Prepare: Tilt your head back slightly and look up. With your index finger, gently pull down the eyelid under your eye . This will create a small pouch-like space, right?
3. Apply the ointment: Now be careful not to let the mouth of the ointment tube touch your eyes , fingertips, or anywhere else. Gently squeeze the tip of the tube and apply the ointment like a thin strip to the space inside the lower eyelid that we created.
4. Close your eye: After instilling the medicine, slowly close your eye to allow the medicine to spread inside. Hold your eye closed for about 30 seconds.
5. Blurred vision: Your vision may be slightly blurred for a few minutes after applying the ointment. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern.
Very important: Use this medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you feel your symptoms have subsided. Doing so may cause the infection to come back suddenly, rather than being completely cured.
When used for small children
If you are using this medicine on your young child, you should take special care. Talk to your pediatrician about it and follow his or her instructions exactly.
What are the side effects? What should I be concerned about?
Like any medicine, this one may cause minor side effects in some people. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Significant Allergic Reactions | Symptoms such as skin irritation, rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. |
| Vision changes | Persistent blurring or other vision problems. |
| Severe eye inflammation or pain | More than normal inflammation after applying the medication, unbearable pain or sensitivity to light. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Minor eye irritation or soreness | A slight burning or stinging sensation may occur when the medicine is first applied. This usually goes away after a while. |
A few more things to know
What if I forget to take my medicine?
Oh, I think I forgot to take my medicine? Don't worry. Take the dose as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never double up on a dose just because you forgot.
What if the medicine is used too much?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
How to store medicine?
Keep this out of the reach of children . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 15°C - 25°C). Throw away any medicine that has passed the expiration date. It is safest to throw away any medicine that has passed the expiration date after the infection has cleared.
To prevent the spread of infection, do not share your eye drops, towels, or hand sanitizers with other family members.
I hope this article has given you a better understanding of this medicine. Remember, this is just a summary. If you have any further questions, never hesitate to ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- This ointment is for use only on bacterial eye infections. Do not use without medical advice.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the medication. Do not let the tube touch your eyes or mouth or anywhere else.
- Even if your symptoms subside, take the medicine for the full duration prescribed by your doctor.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms (facial swelling, hives), changes in vision, or severe pain, see a doctor immediately.
- Do not share things like your eye drops and towels with others.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have.
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