Ointments

Drops

Drops

Eye drops are used to treat various eye diseases. Applied directly to the eyes, they serve as medicines for a specific problem. There are also lubricating eye drops. Their function is to lubricate the cornea which, due to various factors — such as pollution, wind, pathologies and chemical agents — can become dry.

However, regardless of the type of eye drop or the reason for its use, it is very important that it is only used under the advice of an ophthalmologist. This is due to the fact that eye drops are serious medicines and, just as they are useful in treating diseases, they can cause complications if they are used incorrectly.

What are the types of eye drops?

As already mentioned, there are several eye drops. They are indicated to treat everything from serious illnesses, such as glaucoma, to discomfort caused by external agents. Below, we list the most common ones:

Lubricant

Lubricating eye drops are the most popular. Also known as artificial tears, they are recommended in cases of burning eyes, dry eye syndrome, use of contact lenses and irritations caused by external factors, such as:

  • Air conditioning;

  • Dust;

  • Chemicals;

  • Smoke;

  • Cosmetics;

  • Ultraviolet rays;

  • Wind.

Anti-inflammatory

This eye drop is indicated for cases of inflammation in the cornea, episclera, sclera, or in the postoperative period of eye surgery. They can be hormonal — which are those that contain corticosteroids — and non-hormonal.

As it is a more aggressive eye drop (especially hormonal eye drops), it must be used strictly following the recommended time. Therefore, there is no risk of causing opacity in the lens and developing pathologies such as cataracts, glaucoma and other problems.

Antiallergic

Some people develop eye allergies, presenting symptoms such as burning, itching, discharge, redness and swelling. In these cases, anti-allergy eye drops act to alleviate the discomfort, including when the diagnosis is allergic conjunctivitis.

Antibiotic

When we say that eye drops are serious, we are not exaggerating. This is the case of those that work as antibiotics. They are indicated for the treatment of eye infections caused by bacteria (bacterial conjunctivitis).

If used indiscriminately or for a long period, it can make bacteria resistant, making the eyes more susceptible to various infections.

Antiglaucoma eye drops

Antiglaucoma eye drops are only recommended for glaucoma patients. It acts to reduce intraocular pressure and its use is mandatory to avoid total loss of vision.

Anesthetic eye drops

Anesthetic eye drops are only indicated for ophthalmological procedures and surgeries. Its purpose is to relieve eye pain, but as it also removes sensitivity, care must be taken not to cause serious damage to the cornea.

Vasoconstrictor

Also known as decongestants, this type of eye drops constrict the vessels on the surface of the eyes. In other words, it relieves redness that can be caused by rhinitis, rigid contact lenses, colds, foreign bodies and other external agents.

Ointment

Ophthalmic or ophthalmic ointments are remedies that are used to treat different eye problems, such as infections and inflammations. They have a longer lasting action than eye drops, and a smaller number of daily applications are generally prescribed than eye drops.

Ophthalmological ointments, like any other medicines, should not be used without supervision from a doctor. And for the treatment to be effective it is necessary to use it correctly.

Eye ointments are drugs in a greasy, semisolid form that use your body warmth to make them melt. Once you have applied an ointment to your eye, it will break into tiny drops which will accumulate between your eyeball and eyelid. This gives the medicine time to start working.

Ointments are typically more effective at treating symptoms than eye drops and can treat more symptoms when compared to gels. Similar to gels, ointments take more time to become effective and can cause blurry vision when they are applied. You could be given eye ointment for several reasons:

  • Acute or long-term eye problems

  • Eye infections

  • Inflammatory conditions

  • Soreness caused by dry eye syndrome

Most ointments will require a prescription, but more mild ointments (like ones that can treat dry eye) can be purchased over the counter.