Is your eye feeling red, swollen, sticky with crust, or painful today? You might be dealing with a common eye infection that needs medical care.
When you visit your doctor, they may prescribe an eye drop with a long name like neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone. These combination drops work quickly to clear germs and calm swelling.
Let us walk through how this medicine works, how to use it safely, and what side effects you should watch for during your treatment.
Key Takeaways
- This medicine combines two antibiotics and one steroid to fight bacteria and calm swelling.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying your eye drops.
- Complete your full course of medicine even if your eye feels better after a couple of days.
- Never share your eye drops with family members or friends.
What Is This Medicine?
Simply put, this medicine is a blend of three active ingredients in a liquid drop form. It contains two antibiotics called neomycin and polymyxin B, along with a steroid called hydrocortisone.
The antibiotics work together to find and kill the harmful bacteria that have invaded your eye. Meanwhile, the steroid helps reduce the redness, swelling, and pain caused by the infection.
This powerful combination clears the infection while bringing fast relief to your uncomfortable symptoms.
Things to Tell Your Doctor First
Before you start using this medicine, sharing your full health history with your doctor is very important. Tell your doctor right away if any of the following health conditions apply to you.
| Health Condition | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Other Infections | Having any active fungal or viral infection in your eye, such as herpes, requires special care. |
| Allergies | Let your doctor know if you have allergies to neomycin, polymyxin B, hydrocortisone, or other drugs. |
| Contact Lenses | Wearing contact lenses during an eye infection can make healing slower or more difficult. |
| Other Eye Issues | Mention if you have glaucoma or if you recently had cataract surgery on your eye. |
| Pregnancy and Nursing | Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding a baby. |
How to Use This Eye Drop Correctly
Using your eye drops the right way ensures you get the best medical results. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions carefully.
First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling the bottle. This simple habit stops the infection from spreading further.
Second, shake the bottle gently before use. This medicine is a suspension, meaning the active particles float in the liquid.
Third, tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down gently with your finger. This creates a small pocket to hold the drop.
Fourth, squeeze the exact number of drops prescribed into that pocket. Never let the tip of the dropper touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface.
Fifth, close your eye gently and keep it shut for about one minute. This helps the medicine spread evenly across your entire eyeball.
Always finish your full prescribed course of medicine. Stopping early can let the bacteria grow back stronger.
Giving This Medicine to Young Children
Giving this eye drop to infants or young children requires extra care and patience. Always check with your pediatrician or family doctor before applying any medicated drops to a child's eyes.
Important Safety Tips While Using the Medicine
Keep these practical safety tips in mind throughout your treatment period to protect your vision and speed up your recovery.
- If your symptoms do not improve after two days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor right away.
- Never use this medicine for longer than 10 days unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so.
- Ask your doctor when it is safe to start wearing your contact lenses again.
- Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, or makeup with others to prevent spreading the infection.
Very Important: This medicine was prescribed just for you and your specific infection. Never give your eye drops to another person.
Possible Side Effects
Like any medicine, these eye drops can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Review the breakdown below to know what signs to watch for.
| Side Effect Type | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Serious Side Effects (Call Doctor) | Severe burning, redness, or swelling of your eyelids that does not go away quickly. |
| Vision Changes | New eye pain, sudden loss of vision, or lasting blurry vision that stays for a long time. |
| Allergic Signs | Skin rashes around the eye or constant watery discharge from the eye. |
| Mild Discomfort | A brief mild sting or mild itch right after putting the drops in your eye. |
| Temporary Blurring | Short-term blurry vision lasting only a minute or two after application. |
What to Do in Case of an Overdose
If you accidentally put an extra drop into your eye, do not panic. It will not cause serious harm.
However, if someone swallows this medicine by accident or uses a very large amount, seek medical help right away. Call your local emergency services at 911 (US/Canada) or 999 (UK), or take the person to the nearest emergency room.
How to Store Your Medicine Safely
Proper storage keeps your medicine safe and effective throughout its lifespan.
- Keep the bottle stored safely out of the reach of children and pets.
- Store the bottle at room temperature, between 15°C and 25°C, away from extreme heat or freezing cold.
- Always keep the bottle stored in an upright position.
- Check the expiration date printed on the label and safely discard any expired medicine.
When to Call Emergency Services
Seek immediate medical care at your nearest emergency department or call 911 / 999 if you experience sudden severe eye pain, complete loss of vision, spreading facial swelling, or signs of a severe allergic reaction like trouble breathing.
A Note from Dr. Priya Sammani
Taking care of your eyes requires patience and strict adherence to your doctor's instructions. Never hesitate to call your eye doctor or pharmacist if you notice unusual side effects or have questions about how to apply your drops correctly. Your vision is precious.
Sources & References
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Bacterial Conjunctivitis and Eye Drop Usage Guide.
- Mayo Clinic. (2024). Neomycin, Polymyxin B, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic Route.
- National Health Service (NHS UK). (2025). Using Eye Drops Safely and Avoiding Contamination.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Healthy Eye Habits and Infection Prevention.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH MedlinePlus). (2025). Ophthalmic Antibiotic and Steroid Combinations.
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