From the Research
Ofloxacin is not recommended as the first line of treatment for hordeolum due to the lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness, as shown in a recent study 1. Instead, the treatment of hordeolum should focus on promoting drainage of the infected gland and managing symptoms.
- Warm compresses applied to the affected eye for 10-15 minutes several times daily can help accelerate healing by promoting drainage of the infected gland.
- Good hygiene practices, such as washing hands thoroughly before and after touching the eye, can help prevent the spread of infection.
- In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to drain the infected gland or to exclude malignant tumors as a differential diagnosis, as mentioned in a study 2. The use of antibiotics, including ofloxacin, is unlikely to improve the resolution of hordeolum, as shown in a study 1.
- A study comparing the efficacy of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin in reducing bacterial flora on the human conjunctiva found that ciprofloxacin was more effective than ofloxacin in reducing bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) 3. However, the most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that the addition of an antibiotic to conservative measures for hordeolum is not associated with an increased likelihood of treatment success. Therefore, the treatment of hordeolum should prioritize non-antibiotic approaches, such as warm compresses and good hygiene practices, over antibiotic treatment with ofloxacin or other antibiotics.