Sunday 15 July 2012

Administering Antibiotic Eye Drops

 
Eye infections often occur when the eye comes into contact with mascaras, eye liners and other foreign matter. Contact lens can at times also create or carry infections. Everyone's eyes are continuously exposed to the atmosphere and hence are flooded with microbes, these microbes can be infected with various forms of bacteria and viruses.

Some infections like conjunctivitis are caused when the person comes in contact with another eye, or comes into contact with tears or tissues that have been used by an infected person. This virus is highly infectious. Conjunctivitis is by far the most common bacterial eye infection, others like blepharitis, trachoma, keratitis and corneal ulcers are also not uncommon.

The symptoms manifested by the infections vary widely from reddening of the eye, irritation of the eye, drying of the eye and discharges are all to common. Not all infections can be treated with antibiotic eye drops. This is because there are drugs which are age specific and microbe specific and many can show adverse drug reactions. All of these possible adverse reactions have to be taken into consideration when any drop is being applied to the eye. Being Doctor prescribed drugs, antibiotic eye drops are to be used only after seeking advice from a medical practitioner.

The antibiotic eye drops come in small bottles with a dropper. As these are generally suspensions of a drug in a normal saline solution, they have to be shaken well before using. This ensures the drug suspension throughout. The tip of the dropper must not be touched with hand or kept on an unclean surface as this increases contamination. The eyes are first washed with some clean water then dried with a clean cloth, then the drops are held in the dropper, the head is tilted with the lower eyelid widened to form a pouch, the drops are administered, right away the patient will feel an intense burning or itching sensation, this is due to the stinging of the nerves. The eye is closed for a minute or two and held slightly with a finger to prevent the draining of the medication.

If the pain persists a Doctor has to be consulted. It is necessary that should any adverse reactions to the antibiotics become apparent, you need to visit your local GP and advise him of what antibiotic eye drop you are using and the reactions you are suffering from.

Some drugs manifest allergic reactions like rash, swelling, itching, and a rise of basal body temperature, headache, watering of eyes, tingling sensations, and higher redness can all become apparent. All these are symptoms worth worrying about and should be immediately seen to by your Doctor.

Antibiotic eye drops differ for different age groups, they also differ for pregnant mothers and disorders like diabetes etc. Eye injuries, blood pressure or thyroid disorders will also alter the strength and type of antibiotic eye drop prescribed. Any past history like previous drug reactions should also be mentioned to your Doctor prior to starting any treatment.

If the infected eye/eyes shows no sign of recovery in a 24hr period, then return to you local Doctor for further treatment.

[http://www.antibiotic-eye-drops.com/]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Gerard

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