Eye drops for conjunctivitis: main options (and how to put them)

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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 drop for each situation.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation in the eyes that makes them very irritated 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 types of conjunctivitis.

Treatment is established according to the cause of the conjunctivitis and should be done according to medical advice, as dripping the wrong eye drops into the eyes can lead to the worsening of conjunctivitis, generating keratitis and even worsening vision.

Eye drops options for conjunctivitis

The ophthalmologist must 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 contain antibiotics.

Eye drops that are commonly used include:

  • Viral conjunctivitis: you should only use lubricants, such as Moura Brasil;
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis: Maxitrol, tobradex, vigamox, biamotil, zypred;
  • Allergic conjunctivitis: Octifen, patanol, ster, lacrima plus. 

In addition to using eye drops, it is important to clean and dry the eyes, wash with sterile saline, use disposable paper tissues to clean the eyes and keep your hands always washed. Find out about other remedies for conjunctivitis .

Learn more about treating the various types of conjunctivitis in the following video:

How to correctly place eye drops

To use eye drops correctly and ensure a faster recovery from conjunctivitis, one must:

  1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water;
  2. Lie down or lift your chin and look at the ceiling;
  3. Pull the lower eyelid of one of the eyes;
  4. Drip a drop of the eye drops into the inner corner of the eye or inside the lower eyelid;
  5. Close the eye and rotate with the eyelid closed;
  6. Repeat the same steps for the other eye.

If the ophthalmologist has recommended the use of an ointment along with the eye drops, it is important to first drip the eye drops into the eyes and then wait 5 minutes before putting the ointment in the eye. The ointment can be used in the same way as the eye drops, but it should always be applied to the inside of the lower eyelid.

After putting in the eye drops or ointment, keep the eye closed for another 2 or 3 minutes to ensure that the medicine spreads throughout the eye.