Eye Infection

Eye Care Medicines, Drops and Tablets

Eye discomfort can make reading, working and other everyday activities difficult. A red or itchy eye may be caused by dryness, allergy or infection while pain, blurred vision or sudden floaters can point to a more serious problem. Since different conditions can produce similar symptoms, choosing random eye drops may not solve the cause. The right examination helps identify whether treatment requires eye drops, ointment, oral medicine or specialist care.

What causes eye problems?

Eye problems may come from the environment, health, age or injury. A red or watery eye does not always mean infection.

Common causes include:

• Dry air, smoke or prolonged screen use

• Pollen, dust, cosmetics or other allergens

• Viral, bacterial or fungal infections

• Contact lens misuse or poor hygiene

• Injury, chemical exposure or a foreign object

• Diabetes, autoimmune disease, aging or family history

Get an examination when symptoms are painful, persistent or affect vision.

Common eye conditions

• Dry eye causes burning, grittiness or watering when the tear film is unhealthy.

• Pink eye treatment depends on whether conjunctivitis is viral, bacterial, allergic or irritant-related.

• Blepharitis causes inflamed, crusted eyelids.

• Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and often needs pressure-lowering treatment.

• Cataracts cloud the natural lens and make vision hazy.

• Uveitis causes inflammation inside the eye.

• Diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration affect the retina.

Eye problem symptoms

Possible symptoms include:

• Red, itchy, burning or watery eyes

• A dry, gritty or foreign-body feeling

• Sticky discharge or crusted eyelids

• Swelling around the eye

• Blurred or double vision

• Eye pain or sensitivity to light

• Halos around lights

• New flashes, floaters or a shadow in the vision

Symptoms alone may not identify the cause. The wrong medicine can make some conditions worse.

Types of eye drops

Different eye drops have different purposes:

• Lubricating eye drops or artificial tears add moisture for dry eye treatment. Persistent symptoms may need prescription eye drops such as cyclosporine or lifitegrast.

• Allergy eye drops use antihistamines or mast-cell stabilizers to reduce itching and watering.

• Antibiotic eye drops treat selected bacterial eye infections, not viral or allergic conjunctivitis.

• Antiviral or antifungal eye medicines treat specific infections.

• Steroid eye drops and nonsteroidal drops reduce inflammation. Steroids can raise eye pressure or worsen infections and require supervision.

• Glaucoma eye drops lower pressure. Types include prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, alpha agonists and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

• Combination eye drops contain two medicines for selected conditions.

• Dilating drops widen the pupil for examinations or treatment.

• Redness-relief drops do not treat the underlying cause and frequent use may cause redness to return.

Gels and ointments stay on the eye longer but may temporarily blur vision.

Eye tablets and oral medicines

Eye tablets may be used when drops cannot reach the problem. Options include:

• Antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal tablets for selected infections

• Oral antihistamines for allergies

• Acetazolamide to lower eye pressure in certain situations

• Corticosteroid or immune-modifying tablets for severe inflammation

• AREDS2 eye vitamins for selected stages of macular degeneration

Eye vitamins do not prevent every eye disease. Tablets require medical review.

When drops or tablets are not enough

Wet macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease may need injections. Glaucoma may need laser or surgery. Ordinary drops or tablets do not remove cataracts.

Glasses or contact lenses correct focusing problems. Medicines cannot replace the correct prescription.

Using eye drops safely

Wash and dry the hands. Do not touch the bottle tip to the eye or fingers. Use the prescribed number of drops and do not share them.

Remove contact lenses when instructed. Check the expiry date and disposal directions. Seek help for severe pain, swelling or worsening vision.

When is an eye problem an emergency?

Get urgent help for sudden vision loss, severe pain, chemical or penetrating injury, or a painful red eye with nausea. New floaters, flashes or a curtain-like shadow need immediate assessment. KwickPharmacy helps customers compare eye drops online by ingredient, strength and form. Some eye drops and tablets require a valid prescription. Choose eye infection treatment and other eye care medicines with professional guidance.