From the Guidelines
Treatment options for conjunctivitis should be directed at the root cause, with antibiotic eye drops or ointments for bacterial conjunctivitis, supportive care for viral conjunctivitis, and antihistamine eye drops or oral antihistamines for allergic conjunctivitis, as indicated by the most recent study 1.
Causes and Treatment Options
- Bacterial conjunctivitis: antibiotic eye drops or ointments such as erythromycin, polymyxin B/trimethoprim, or fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin, applied as directed, usually 1-2 drops every 2-4 hours for 5-7 days, even if symptoms improve earlier to prevent recurrence 1.
- Viral conjunctivitis: supportive care, including cold compresses and artificial tears to relieve symptoms, as antibiotics are ineffective against viruses 1.
- Allergic conjunctivitis: antihistamine eye drops like ketotifen or olopatadine, used twice daily, or oral antihistamines 1.
General Recommendations
- Good hygiene practices are essential: avoid touching or rubbing eyes, wash hands frequently, use separate towels and washcloths, and dispose of eye makeup 1.
- Contact lens wearers should temporarily switch to glasses until the infection clears 1.
- Warm compresses can help remove discharge, and artificial tears can provide relief from irritation 1.
- Most cases of conjunctivitis are self-limiting, but if symptoms worsen or don't improve within a week, medical attention should be sought as more serious eye conditions may require different treatment 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution, 0. 5% is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of the following organisms: In two randomized, double-masked, multicenter, controlled clinical trials in which patients were dosed 3 times a day for 4 days, moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution produced clinical cures on Day 5 to 6 in 66% to 69% of patients treated for bacterial conjunctivitis.
The treatment options for conjunctivitis include moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution, which has been shown to be effective in treating bacterial conjunctivitis, with a clinical cure rate of 66% to 69% in clinical trials 2. The solution is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of certain organisms.
- Key points:
- Moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution is used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis
- The solution has a clinical cure rate of 66% to 69% in clinical trials
- It is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of certain organisms
- The dosage is one drop in the affected eye 3 times a day for 7 days 2
From the Research
Treatment Options for Conjunctivitis
The treatment options for conjunctivitis vary depending on the cause of the condition.
- For bacterial conjunctivitis, topical antibiotics can decrease the duration of the infection and allow for an earlier return to school or work 3.
- In cases of conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia, or in contact lens wearers, treatment with antibiotics is necessary 3.
- For viral conjunctivitis, treatment is supportive, as the condition usually resolves on its own 3.
- Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with topical antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers to alleviate symptoms 3.
Use of Topical Steroids
Topical corticosteroids can be useful in treating ocular inflammation, but their use is generally recommended in severe cases of conjunctivitis due to associated risks 4.
- The risks associated with steroid use include potential for prolonging adenoviral infections and potentiating/worsening herpes simplex virus infections, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, and cataracts 4.
- However, clinical data show that ophthalmic formulations that combine corticosteroids with broad-spectrum anti-infectives could be effective and well tolerated when used for short-term treatment (≤2 weeks) 4.
Antiviral Drugs
For viral conjunctivitis, antiviral medications such as aciclovir, trifluridine, and valaciclovir can be used to treat herpesvirus infections 5.
- Cidofovir has been used successfully to treat some cases of adenoviral conjunctivitis, although toxicity has also been reported 5.
- The use of other medications, such as idoxuridine, has been minimized in clinical practice due to their high toxicity 5.
Azithromycin 1.5% Ophthalmic Solution
Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution is available for use in the treatment of bacterial or trachomatous conjunctivitis 6.
- It has good in vitro activity against Haemophilus influenzae and C. trachomatis, and achieves good concentrations in tear samples from healthy volunteers 6.
- Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution was noninferior to tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic solution in paediatric and adult patients with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis, with regard to clinical cure and bacteriological resolution on day 9 6.