Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, your eyes are red, swollen, and hard to open, right? Or you feel uncomfortable and itchy as if something is stuck inside your eye. Gentamicin eye drops are a medicine that doctors often recommend for bacterial eye infections like this. But there are many things we need to be careful about when using this. Let's talk about it today.
What kind of medicine is Gentamicin?
Simply put, Gentamicin is a type of antibiotic . To be precise, it is a drug that belongs to the class of `` aminoglycoside ''. Its main function is to control and destroy certain bacterial infections that occur inside the eye.
Imagine that a bacteria enters our eye. That bacteria begins to multiply rapidly inside the eye. That's when the eye becomes red, itchy, and swollen. When we put Gentamicin drops in the eye, the medicine goes in and kills the bacteria.
The most important thing is that this medicine only works on bacteria. If you have an eye infection caused by a virus, or if your eyes are red due to an allergy, this medicine will not work. Therefore, never use it without a doctor's recommendation .
In Sri Lanka, this medicine is available under various brand names such as Garamycin, Genoptic, and Gentak.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, he will ask you some questions. Be sure to mention these things at that time.
- Allergies : Tell your doctor if you have any allergies, not just to Gentamicin, but also to other antibiotics, sulfites, preservatives, or any other medication.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should definitely tell your doctor.
- Breastfeeding: Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not.
How do you apply this medicine correctly to your eyes?
To get the full benefit of the medicine, you need to use it correctly. Follow these steps.
| Step number | What to do |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after applying the medicine. This is very important to prevent the spread of infection. |
| Step 2 | Tilt your head back a little and look up. |
| Step 3 | Gently pull down your lower eyelid with your index finger. It will form a small pouch. |
| Step 4 | The tip of the medicine bottle (dropper), your eye , fingertips, or anywhere elseDon't let it touch. If it does, germs can get inside the bottle. |
| Step 5 | Put the number of drops the doctor prescribed into the bag formed by the eyelid. |
| Step 6 | Close your eye slowly and roll your eyeball slightly so that you are looking inward. This will spread the medicine throughout your eye. Your vision may be slightly blurry for a few minutes. This is normal. |
Some of the most important points
- Use the medicine for the full duration: Even if you feel better in two or three days, take the medicine for the full duration your doctor tells you to take it. Otherwise, the infection may come back.
- If you forget to take your medicine: If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take it at the next scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
- If you accidentally use too much medicine: If you accidentally use too much medicine in your eyes, or if someone drinks it, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. You can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
- When giving to children: Special care is needed when giving this medicine to children. Therefore, be sure to seek the advice of a pediatrician.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Gentamicin can cause side effects in some people. But don't worry. Most people don't get these. It's important to know what to do if they do.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Eye inflammation, itching | It's normal to experience a little burning after applying the medicine. But if it persists or gets worse, it could be an allergy. Talk to your doctor without reapplying the medicine. |
| Hearing difficulties, ringing in the ears | These are very rare serious side effects. If you experience any of these, tell your doctor immediately. |
| Dizziness, loss of balance | This can also be a serious side effect. Seek medical advice immediately. |
| Muscle weakness, nausea, difficulty urinating | These are also not common, but it is important to inform your doctor if they occur. |
| Blurred vision | It is normal for vision to be blurry for a few minutes after applying the medication. This will go away after a while. |
A few other important points
- Do not share medicine: Remember this very well. This medicine is for you only. Never share your eye drops , towels, or handkerchiefs with anyone else. This can easily spread infections.
- Other eye products: While using this medication, do not use any other eye drops or creams without consulting your doctor.
- Storage: Keep the medicine bottle out of the reach of children. At a temperature between 2 and 30 degrees Celsius ( room temperature) .Do not store in the fridge or freezer. Be sure to throw away expired medicine.
If your symptoms don't improve after a few days of taking the medicine, be sure to see your doctor again. You may have a different type of infection.
Take-Home Message
- Gentamicin eye drops are an antibiotic used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria. Do not use without a doctor's prescription.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after using the medicine. Do not let the tip of the bottle touch your eyes or anywhere else.
- Even if your symptoms subside, take the medicine for the full duration prescribed by your doctor.
- Never share your eye medicine bottle with others.
- If you experience serious side effects such as dizziness or hearing loss, contact your doctor immediately.
- If symptoms do not improve within a few days of taking the medication, seek medical advice again.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What diseases are Gentamicin eye drops used for?
Gentamicin is a powerful antibiotic. Doctors often prescribe it to treat bacterial eye infections, especially conditions like conjunctivitis.
💬 What is the best way to use these drops?
The drops should only be applied to the affected eye according to the dosage prescribed by the doctor. However, it is very important to keep the tip of the bottle clean so that it does not touch the eye or your fingers when applying the medicine.
💬 What are the possible side effects of gentamicin drops?
You may experience a slight burning sensation or temporary blurred vision immediately after applying the medication. However, if your eyes become very red, itchy, and swollen, it could be an allergy, so stop using the medication immediately and talk to a doctor.
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