Medicines and Drugs Used in Common Eye Diseases

Sulfacetamide (Albucid, Locula, Optisol; 10%. 20% or 30% drops), Chloramphenicol (Paraxin, Vanmycetin 0.4% drops), Gentamicin (Genticyn, Garamycin 0.3% drops).

Any of the above drugs may be selected by the treating doctor depending on the sensitivity of microorganisms present. Chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, sulfacetamide are cheaper and effective drugs against majority of eye infections. After application of eye ointments, the drops are ineffective until some time has elapsed hence ointments should be preferably used at bedtime. It also avoids the visual difficulty faced after application of the greasy ointment.

If there is any irritation in eye due to drug, the doctor should be informed immediately. In non­specific irritations of eye due to environmental factors, zinc-boric eye drops (ANDRE, OPTIVIZ) can be used.

Antibiotics and Corticosteroids Mixtures

Mixtures containing fixed dose combinations of antibiotics and corticosteroids such as Genticin-B, Dexosyn-C, Mycidex, Pyrimon should be avoided for ordinary problems. They reduce resistance to infection and may worsen the condition if the invading organism is resistant to the antibiotic. Due to anti-inflammatory effect of corticosteroids, the patient gets immediate relief but may have a prolonged illness in some cases. Their long-term use can lead to glaucoma and cataract, which may result in blindness. These should ordinarily be used by a specialist who can judge the situation.

Cataract

Cataract is loss of transparency of the lens. The most common cause of cataract is ageing. It may also be due to injury to the eye, serious infection of eye and diabetes mellitus. The chief symptom of cataract is a gradual dimming of vision, although vision may be better in dim light. An entirely opaque lens is 'ripe' while the one that retains some transparency is 'immature'.

Treatment of 'immature' cataract during the period of dimming of vision comprises of wearing accurately prescribed spectacles. Ultimate treatment of cataract is removal of this opaque lens surgically and implanting an artificial lens after proper calculation of its power. One should not wait for the maturity of lens.

Spectacles will be required for near vision after cataract surgery and may also be required for distance vision for any residual correction.

Dry Eye

It is a common cause of eye discomfort affecting majority of people specially those working on computers and those wearing contact lens. Patients complaints of redness and straining of eye along with dryness. There occurs deficiency of tear film in such people, which should be treated with tear supplements. This conditions is more commonly seen in computer operators due to decreased eye blink rate so they are advised to blink more frequently. Some commonly available tear supplements are Hydroxypropyl cellulose (MOISOL) and methyl cellulose (TEAR CELL).

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