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Types Of Eye Drops For Pink Eye
Different types of pink eye drops may include artificial tears, allergy eye drops, antibiotic eye drops, and antiviral eye drops. These medicines may help relieve symptoms of pink eye.
Certain eye drops may help treat all types of conjunctivitis. Antibiotic and antiviral eye drops may help treat infectious conjunctivitis, while allergy eye drops can help treat allergic conjunctivitis. Artificial tears may help ease symptoms in all cases of conjunctivitis.
This article outlines eye drops for treating different types of conjunctivitis, how to apply them, and the typical outlook for people diagnosed with the eye condition. It also discusses when to contact a doctor.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), eye drops may help treat some types of conjunctivitis.
Antibiotic eye drops may help treat bacterial conjunctivitis, and allergy eye drops may help treat allergic conjunctivitis.
Artificial tears may also help ease symptoms. Artificial tears are eye drops that help lubricate the eye.
Generally, there is no treatment for viral conjunctivitis, as it usually resolves without treatment.
Regardless of which type of conjunctivitis people have, it's important that they avoid using any red-eye-reducing drops, such as Visine. These eye drops may worsen symptoms and could feel very uncomfortable if an infection causes conjunctivitis.
Learn about the difference between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis here.
Viral conjunctivitisThere is usually no treatment for viral conjunctivitis, and the condition often resolves within 1–2 weeks.
People may use OTC artificial tears 4 times per day. People can look for preservative-free artificial tears, which they may be able to use up to 10 times per day.
If the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is causing conjunctivitis, people may use eye drops containing trifluridine (Viroptic).
Bacterial conjunctivitisPeople may be able to treat mild bacterial conjunctivitis at home using OTC artificial tears, which help lubricate the eye.
Bacterial conjunctivitis usually improves within 2–5 days without treatment, but it may take up to 2 weeks to clear completely.
Sometimes a doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to help reduce the risk of complications or transmitting the infection to others. Antibiotic eye drops may help reduce the infection's duration. Examples include:
OTC or prescription anti-allergy eye drops may help treat allergic conjunctivitis.
People may also find that artificial tears help relieve mild cases of allergic conjunctivitis. Artificial tears may help wash allergens from the eye and lessen itching or worsening of symptoms.
OTC antihistamine eye drops may help treat allergic conjunctivitis. Examples include:
A doctor may prescribe antihistamine eye drops to treat allergic conjunctivitis in more severe cases. These may include:
A doctor may also prescribe mast cell stabilizer eye drops, such as:
If people have persistent allergic conjunctivitis, they may need treatment with topical steroid eye drops, such as loteprednol etabonate (Alrex/Lotemax).
Learn more about allergic conjunctivitis here.
People may be able to treat conjunctivitis with home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. They will need to see a doctor if they have severe or worsening symptoms, such as:
Apply eye drops by following these steps:
This video from the AAO demonstrates how to apply eye drops:
Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis may improve in 3–4 days of treatment with antibiotic eye drops. People must take the full course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning.
Most cases of viral conjunctivitis resolve within 14–30 days. If people take antiviral eye drops for a specific virus, such as HSV, people may need to use the eye drops for up to 2 weeks.
Allergic conjunctivitis may improve quickly with antihistamine eye drops, but the effects may only last a few hours. People may need to use certain antihistamine eye drops 4 times per day to provide relief.
Mast cell stabilizers may take 3–7 days to show an improvement in allergic conjunctivitis.
People may be able to treat conjunctivitis at home with OTC eye drops, or artificial tears, which help lubricate the eye. Anti-allergy eye drops may help treat allergic conjunctivitis.
Doctors may also prescribe antibiotic, antiviral, or anti-allergy eye drops depending on what's causing the conjunctivitis.
The 11 Best Eye Drops For Dry Eyes In 2023, Per An Optometrist
Walmart Pros: If you're experiencing severe dryness, Lazar recommends the Bausch & Lomb Nighttime Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Ointment, conveniently just $10 to help tone down those unwanted dryness levels.
With more than 1,500 glistening reviews for its nighttime-friendly ointment that also doubles as a preventative treatment for possible irritation, it's also preservative-free; just make sure to remove contact lenses, if applicable, before applying.
Lazar also recommends the
Oasis TEARS PF Preservative-Free Lubricant Drops ($23) for severe dryness, ranked as one of the best preservative-free eye drops in this guide.Ahead, Lazar gives us a detailed overview of what to know about eye drops so you feel well-equipped to begin using them for your dry eyes (if, in fact, it sounds like you'd benefit from use).
What are eye drops?First things first, let's boil down these popular over-the-counter products — before understanding if they're right for you.
"Eye drops are a type of medication or solution used to deliver moisture, relieve discomfort, or treat conditions in the eyes, often administered directly into the eye through a dropper," Lazar tells The Post.
What are the benefits of using eye drops?According to Lazar, eye drops can provide a variety of benefits such as moisturizing dry eyes, reducing redness and inflammation, relieving irritation and discomfort or delivering medication to treat specific eye conditions like glaucoma or allergies.
What types of eye drops can I find on the market?There are quite a few types of eye drops available on the market, some most common ones, including lubricating drops for dry eyes, redness-reducing drops, allergy drops, antibiotic drops for infections, anti-glaucoma drops and prescription drops for various specific eye conditions.
Why do I have dry eyes?The golden question — why are my eyes dry, and how can I help make them "more hydrated," so to speak?
"Dry eyes can be triggered by numerous factors, including the natural aging process, hormonal changes, exposure to harsh environmental conditions, certain medications and systemic health conditions like autoimmune diseases," Lazar notes. "Although there's a genetic aspect to dry eye syndrome, particularly when associated with conditions like Sjögren's syndrome, it's important to remember it's generally a multifactorial issue, influenced by a complex interplay of both genetic makeup and lifestyle choices."
That said, the rising prevalence of dry eye conditions and styes, even among our youth, can be linked to the realities of our modern lifestyles: hours spent staring at digital screens and the increasing tendency to live and work in climate-controlled indoor spaces.
"Additionally, skin disorders like rosacea, often underestimated, play a significant role in causing red, watery, and swollen eyes," she adds.
"It's important to understand that having good vision doesn't necessarily mean your eyes are healthy, as some eye diseases may not affect vision in their early stages. Thus, it is vital to prioritize comprehensive eye exams regularly, even if you believe your vision is excellent, to detect any potential issues early and maintain overall eye health."
Inna Lazar, MD, Connecticut-based optometrist who specializes in ocular surface diseases, dry eye management and the provision of custom-tailored specialty contact lenses How do prescription eye drops work?"Prescription eye drops work by delivering specific medications directly to the eyes to treat conditions such as glaucoma, eye infections, allergies, or inflammation, often by reducing intraocular pressure, combating pathogens, or mitigating allergic reactions," Lazar says.
When ordering prescription eye drops online, it's crucial to ensure that they're obtained from a legitimate pharmacy, as these are medications that require a valid prescription from a healthcare provider. "Being able to purchase them without a doctor's prescription is a serious red flag and could indicate the potential risk of receiving counterfeit or unsafe medications," she warns.
How to properly apply eye drops, per an optometristTo use eye drops correctly, tilt your head back, gently pull your lower eyelid down, hold the dropper tip down over the eye, and squeeze out the prescribed number of drops without letting the dropper touch your eye or any other surfaces to prevent contamination.
"It's also important to store the drops in a cool, dry area separate from cosmetic products to prevent mix-ups with items like eyelash or nail glue, and always make sure to read the bottle before application," Lazar notes.
How to use eye drops if you wear contacts, per an optometristAccording to Lazar, best practices for using eye drops with contacts entail removing the lenses before administering the drops (unless they're contact lens-friendly), waiting a minimum of 15 minutes before reinserting, and importantly, if you find yourself needing to use eye drops more than four times a day, it's crucial to consult an eye care professional to address the root cause of the discomfort or dryness.
How often should eye drops be used?Of course, the frequency of eye drop use should be determined by the type of drop and the condition being treated.
"Generally, they should be used as per the instructions given by the eye care provider or as indicated on the product label," Lazar chimes in.
Are preservative-free eye drops "better?" What are they, exactly?"Preservative-free eye drops are formulations without added preservatives, which can be beneficial for those with sensitive eyes or allergies," she notes. While they're not inherently "better", they "may be a preferable option for individuals who use eye drops frequently or have a sensitivity to preservatives," she notes.
When would I see a difference from using eye drops?"The effect of eye drops can range from immediate relief for conditions like allergies or redness, to more long-term results over several weeks for conditions like dry eye, glaucoma, largely dependent on the type of drop and the condition being treated," Lazar highlights.
More, efficacy depends on the severity of your eye-dryness.
Check out the
New York Post Shopping section for more content.Cebu City On Alert Against Sore Eyes
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