There are several types of eye drops and their indication will also depend on the type of conjunctivitis that the person has, as there is a more suitable eye drops for each situation.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation in the eyes that makes them very irritable and can be caused by viruses or bacteria or happen as a result of an allergy, they are viral, bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis. Learn how to identify the types of conjunctivitis.
The treatment is established according to the cause of the conjunctivitis and must be done according to medical advice, as dripping the wrong eye drops in the eyes can lead to the worsening of the conjunctivitis, generating keratitis and even worsening of vision.
Eye drops options for conjunctivitis
The ophthalmologist should always indicate the most appropriate eye drops for each cause of conjunctivitis. In allergic conjunctivitis, it is usually indicated to use anti-allergic eye drops with antihistamine properties. This type of conjunctivitis is not transmissible, it is more common and usually affects both eyes. Viral infection is usually treated with lubricating eye drops, while bacterial infection is treated with eye drops that have antibiotics in their composition.
The eye drops that are normally used include:
- Viral conjunctivitis: only lubricants should be used, such as Moura Brasil; Bacterial conjunctivitis: Maxitrol, tobradex, vigamox, biamotil, zypred; Allergic conjunctivitis: Octifen, patanol, ster, lacrima plus.
In addition to the use of eye drops, it is important to clean and dry the eyes, wash with sterile saline, use disposable tissues to clean the eyes and keep hands always washed. Find out what other remedies for conjunctivitis.
Learn more about the treatment of various types of conjunctivitis in the following video:
How to put eye drops correctly
To use eye drops correctly and ensure faster recovery from conjunctivitis, you should:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water; Lay or lift your chin and look at the ceiling; Pull the lower lid of one eye; Drop a drop of eye drops in the inner corner of the eye or inside the lower eyelid; Close the eye and rotate with the eyelid closed; repeat the same steps for the other eye.
If the ophthalmologist has recommended the use of an ointment together with the eye drops it is important to first drop the eye drops in the eyes and then wait 5 minutes, before putting the ointment in the eye. The ointment can be used in the same way as eye drops, but should always be applied to the inside of the lower eyelid.
After placing the eye drops or ointment, keep the eye closed for another 2 or 3 minutes to ensure that the medicine spreads throughout the eye.
