Are your eyes red, itchy, swollen, and painful? You may have an eye infection. When you see a doctor at a time like this, he or she will likely give you an eye drop. The name on the bottle of medicine you receive may be difficult to read, or a bit complicated. Today, we are going to talk about a special type of medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections of the eyes.
What exactly is this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of three medications. That is, an eye suspension made by combining two antibiotics called Neomycin and Polymyxin B , and a steroid called Hydrocortisone .
- Antibiotics: These kill bacteria that have entered your eye.
- Steroid: This is used to control symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain caused by the infection.
The combination of these three medications can quickly eliminate the infection and reduce the discomfort caused by it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Before using this medicine, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Especially if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Things to be aware of | Description |
|---|---|
| Other infections | If you have any other active fungal or viral infection (e.g. herpes) in the eye or body. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Hydrocortisone, or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Contact Lenses | If you are a contact lens wearer. |
| Other eye diseases | If you have glaucoma or have recently had cataract surgery. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How do you use this eye drop correctly?
To get the most out of your medicine, it's important to use it correctly. Okay, so let's take a step-by-step look at how to do this.
1. Hand washing: Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after applying the medicine to your eyes. This can help prevent the spread of infection.
2. Shake the bottle: This is a suspension, meaning the medicine particles float in the liquid. So shake the bottle well before using.
3. Preparation: Tilt your head back slightly and gently pull down the eyelid under your eye with your index finger. This will create a small pouch.
4. Apply the medicine: Place the prescribed number of drops of medicine into the dropper bottle. Very important: Do not let the dropper tip touch your eye, your fingertips, or any other surface. Doing so can introduce germs into the bottle.
5. Closing the eye: After applying the medication, slowly close your eye and wait for about a minute. This will help the medication spread throughout the eye.
The most important thing is to take this medicine for the full duration prescribed by your doctor. Don't stop taking it even if you feel a little better. Doing so may cause the infection to come back.
When to give this medicine to small children?
This medicine may require special care if given to children. Therefore, consult your pediatrician for advice.
Things to keep in mind when using the medicine
- If you do not feel any better after two days, or if your condition worsens, inform your doctor immediately .
- Do not use this medicine for more than 10 days without consulting a doctor.
- If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor if it is appropriate to wear them while taking the medication and when you can start using them again.
- To prevent spreading the infection to others, do not share your used towels, handkerchiefs, and eye ointments with others.
Very important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Also, it has been prescribed for the specific infection you have. Never give this medicine to anyone else or use it for any other eye condition that your doctor has not prescribed.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. The table below will give you a clear picture of these.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Inflammation or swelling | Severe inflammation, redness, or swelling of the eyelids. |
| Vision changes | Eye pain, decreased vision, or blurred vision (that doesn't go away after a while). |
| Allergy symptoms | Skin rash or persistent watering of the eyes. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Minor inconveniences | Slight burning, redness, or itching immediately after applying the medicine. |
| Temporary blurring | Temporary blurred vision or watery eyes immediately after applying the medication. |
What if you overdose on medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, don't worry. It usually won't cause any harm. However, if someone accidentally swallows this medicine or accidentally ingests a large amount, take them to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU) immediately . You can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
How do you keep medicine safe?
- Keep away from children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat or cold.
- Store the medicine bottle upright.
- Discard any medication that has passed its expiration date without using it.
This information sheet is only a summary. If you have any further questions about this medicine, please discuss them with your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- This medication is a combination of antibiotics and steroids that are given to control bacterial infections of the eyes and the associated swelling and redness.
- Before using the medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses, allergies, and other medications you are taking.
- Wash your hands thoroughly when using the medicine and do not let the tip of the bottle touch anything.
- Even if you feel better, take the medicine for the full period prescribed by the doctor.
- If you experience any severe side effects (eye pain, blurred vision, severe swelling) or if there is no improvement within two days, see your doctor immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with others.
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