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The eye drops are undoubtedly the drugs of first choice for the treatment of conjunctivitis, a disorder that is characterized by the inflammation of the conjunctiva. The administration of drugs in the form of eye drops is extremely advantageous because, by directly instilling the active ingredient in the eye, the healing time of the disease is accelerated.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an always symptomatic disease characterized by an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin and delicate mucous membrane that covers the inner surface of the eyelids and the front part of the eyeball. As mentioned, before starting any topical therapy (with ophthalmic ointments or eye drops) it is essential to recognize the type of conjunctivitis.
The form of conjunctival inflammation is recognized based on signs, symptoms and causes. To facilitate understanding, the table shows the main forms of conjunctivitis, subdivided on the basis of triggers and characteristic symptoms. To complete the analysis, the types of eye drops most indicated for the treatment of the disease are also mentioned in the summary scheme.
Type of conjunctivitis | Causes | Symptoms | Eye drops for conjunctivitis |
allergic | Hypersensitivity to materials, drugs, contact lenses, pollens, grasses, dust |
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spring | Pollen and grass allergies |
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Viral | Virus-supported infection:
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Bacterial | Infection supported by:
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Allergic conjunctivitis
Eye drops for allergic / spring conjunctivitis are prepared with antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids, which are essential for symptom control.
ANTISTAMINIC COLLIRES
Although there are no drugs capable of treating allergic conjunctivitis, antihistamine eye drops can undoubtedly improve the patient's clinical picture or, when used before the arrival of spring, prevent the onset of allergy (be it allergic rhinitis, pollinosis or fever) from hay).
Having a seasonal incidence, allergic conjunctivitis from pollen and grass recurs regularly in the spring; for this reason, it is advisable to undertake a prophylactic therapy already during the first weeks of March through the moderate and regular application of antihistamine drops.
The most suitable antihistamine eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis are prepared with active ingredients such as Sodium Chromoglycate, Nedocromil, Levocabastine and Olopatadine.
deepening
Antihistamine eye drops work by blocking the action of histamine, a powerful chemical mediator involved in allergic and inflammatory phenomena. In doing so, antihistamines prevent or alleviate the symptoms of the allergic reaction.
Below is the formulation of an eye drop indicated in the prophylaxis of allergic eye diseases.
- bottle solution: active ingredient: Sodium nedocromil mg 100/5 ml; Excipients: Benzalkonium chloride; disodium edetate; sodium chloride; purified water. Posology: One drop per eye 2 to 4 times a day. Treatment should not exceed 8 weeks.
DECONGESTING COLLIRI / VASOCOSTRITORI
To speed up the health, allergic conjunctivitis can also be treated by instillation into the eye of eye drops capable of inducing a narrowing of the blood vessels of the conjunctiva. The most indicated active ingredients are Nafazoline, Tonzilamina hydrochloride and Tetrizoline: these are powerful vasoconstrictors able to remove the characteristic symptoms of allergy (lacrimation, redness, swelling) in a relatively short time.
It is recommended to respect the indications provided by the doctor and the dosage (dosage): an excessive use of these drugs more paradoxically provoke the opposite effect, thus ending up worsening the symptoms of congestion.
Please note
The eye drops that act as powerful local vasoconstrictors, while presenting a poor systemic absorption, must be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from hyperthyroidism, hypertension, diabetes and cardiac disorders. Always consult your doctor before instilling any type of eye drops into the eye.
COURTESIAN COLLIRES
Cortisonic eye drops are often prescribed by the doctor as a support to antihistamine therapy: this is because the corticosteroid active ingredients, although not acting in any way on the triggering cause, are able to determine a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, relieving symptoms such as swelling and redness in the arc of a short period. Cortisonic eye drops can be formulated with Cortisone, Triamcinolone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, etc .: the choice of eye drops for severe allergic conjunctivitis must be delegated to the doctor. It is recommended once again not to undertake the do-it-yourself therapy without first consulting an expert's opinion.
In the presence of a particularly aggressive form of allergic conjunctivitis, a dual therapy is conceivable, consisting of the concomitant use of eye drops (topical application) and tablets taken by mouth (by mouth).
Bacterial conjunctivitis
The complicated and infectious conjunctivitis with bacterial etiology require a more powerful cure: in this case, the most indicated eye drops are enriched with antibiotic active ingredients, essential to kill the responsible bacterium and avoid its replication.
To speed up healing and alleviate symptoms that accompany an ophthalmic infection (itching, redness, discomfort, and abundant watering) it is recommended to support antibiotic treatment with a topical pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory treatment: for this purpose, analgesic eye drops formulated with NSAIDs can be helpful.
When the symptoms of eye infection take on a particularly ferocious connotation, the common analgesic eye drops can be replaced by ophthalmic ointments or cortisone drops, with the most powerful anti-inflammatory action.
It is no coincidence that eye drops for infective conjunctivitis are available on the market, consisting of a mixture of active antibiotics and steroids.
Eye drops or ophthalmic ointment?
For the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, many doctors prescribe ophthalmic antibiotics rather than eye drops: this is because ointments allow the active ingredient to remain in contact with the conjunctiva for longer periods than a simple eyedrop. However, ointment formulations have the disadvantage of creating a transient blurred vision. For this reason, we recommend using eye drops during the day and an ophthalmic ointment at night, to be applied before bedtime.
MEDICINAL SPECIALTIES
For the treatment of aggressive forms of infectious bacterial conjunctivitis, some double action eye drops are available, prepared with antibiotics and corticosteroids.
For example, the medicinal product Mixotone is an eye drop consisting of hydrocortisone (a corticosteroid drug) and two antibiotics (neomycin and polymyxin B). Pre-G is also a combined ophthalmic ointment, specifically indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis: this drug consists of gentamicin (antibiotic) and prednisolone (corticosteroid drug).
Viral conjunctivitis
Unlike the bacterial variant, viral conjunctivitis begins with symptoms that are less obvious but not less serious. The therapy consists of the topical application of antiviral and anti-inflammatory eye drops.
- Sometimes, viral infections in the conjunctiva occur so lightly that they regress spontaneously; for this reason, the doctor does not always prescribe topical therapy with specific eye drops.
More often, the symptoms of viral conjunctivitis can be controlled by administering analgesic eye drops (formulated with NSAIDs such as Diclofenac or Ketorolac). Topical application of cortisone eye drops for the treatment of viral conjunctivitis is not always recommended: a similar treatment could in fact cause serious damage to the eye. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated by the doctor, in the context of viral conjunctivitis it is recommended not to instill cortisone eye drops in the eye and to prefer those formulated with simple NSAIDs.
In the case of viral conjunctivitis, it is recommended to strictly follow the hygiene rules to avoid the spread of infection.
