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What are the Most Common Uses for Ciprofloxacin Eye Drops?

C.B. Fox
C.B. Fox

Ciprofloxacin eye drops are used to treat a variety of different eye infections. The drops are administered directly into the eyes, which allows them to target the source of the bacterial infection, such as those that cause conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and styes. Each of these infections can be caused by a variety of different bacteria or by other irritants. Ciprofloxacin is only effective against infections caused by bacteria.

The most common eye condition that ciprofloxacin eye drops are used to treat is bacterial conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, which affects the lining around the white of the eye. This condition occurs when bacteria is introduced into the eye. The infection can occur in both eyes at once or can start in one eye and then spread to the other within a few days, though it may be more severe in one of the eyes.

Ciprofloxacin eye drop can be used to treat bacterial eye infections.
Ciprofloxacin eye drop can be used to treat bacterial eye infections.

Bacterial conjunctivitis can be caused by a number of different bacteria. Some of the more common bacteria involved are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, which may also spread to or from other parts of the body. A highly contagious condition, bacterial conjunctivitis can easily spread from person to person. Ciprofloxacin eye drops are effective against both of these bacteria.

Blepharitis is a condition in which the eyelash follicles become inflamed due to an infection or dermatitis. Treatment with ciprofloxacin is relatively new for this condition, though it has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment.

Ciprofloxacin eye drops are a possible solution for styes on the eye.
Ciprofloxacin eye drops are a possible solution for styes on the eye.

Another type of infection that can affect the eye originates in one of the oil glands on the edge of the eyelid. These infections, called styes, usually only affect one gland at any time. A persistent stye that does not go away on its own may require treatment with an antibiotic.

Ciprofloxacin eye drops deliver antibiotic medication to the source of the infection. They may be given if an infection is localized only in the eyes or as a secondary treatment for a bacterial infection that affects more than one part of the body. The medication can treat a number of different types of bacteria but cannot be used to treat viral infections or eye irritation caused by damage or exposure to irritants.

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

I think the ciprofloxacin eye drops I had also had a steroid in them to reduce the inflammation in my eye. I had good old-fashioned pink eye and my eyes were itching fiercely. I wanted to claw them out of my head!

I had to drive myself home from the eye doctor's office and it was an awful trip. Fortunately, we're only about five blocks away, but I wanted to poke my eyes out because they were burning and itching so.

The doctor said the steroid would help the itching in the short term, and it did. I put the drops in when I got home, took a nap and when I woke up, my eyes felt much, much better. Then the antibiotic took care of the infection, so I was just about fixed up by the next day.

Grivusangel

I've used these eye drops before. They work very well. My eye doctor prescribed them to me when I got something in my eye. He removed the foreign matter and then prescribed the drops for me because he said the eye wasn't infected yet, but would be from the little bit of whatever was in there.

The drops made my eye feel better pretty quickly and they didn't burn too much. I know some antibiotic eye drops will burn if your eyes are a little irritated, but these were fine. They kept an infection from setting in, which was my main concern.

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    • Ciprofloxacin eye drop can be used to treat bacterial eye infections.
      By: liza5450
      Ciprofloxacin eye drop can be used to treat bacterial eye infections.
    • Ciprofloxacin eye drops are a possible solution for styes on the eye.
      By: gromovataya
      Ciprofloxacin eye drops are a possible solution for styes on the eye.
    • Ciprofloxacin eye drops deliver antibiotic medication to the source of the infection.
      By: Stacy Barnett
      Ciprofloxacin eye drops deliver antibiotic medication to the source of the infection.
    • Ciprofloxacin eye drops are most commonly used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis.
      By: joshya
      Ciprofloxacin eye drops are most commonly used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis.
    • An infection of the oil glands on the eyelids may be treated using Ciprofloxacin eye drops.
      By: arztsamui
      An infection of the oil glands on the eyelids may be treated using Ciprofloxacin eye drops.
    • Ciprofloxacin eye drops are available only by prescription.
      By: arturas kerdokas
      Ciprofloxacin eye drops are available only by prescription.