Eye disease associated with the growth of bacteria and the spread of fungal activity can only be cured with the help of special drops, which always contain a bioactive substance. Regarding this substance itself, such drops are divided into antiseptic, chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics. It is worth paying attention to the types and instructions of antifungal eye drops.
Application area
With all the wide spectrum of action of the drops, it cannot be assumed that they will relieve any problem. Drops with an antibiotic help eliminate fungal infections of the eye. It is worth understanding the differences between the bacterial, infectious and fungal nature of a disease. Therefore, it is worth looking carefully at the list of antifungal eye drops and ointments.
Aspergillosis
This type of infection is caused by mold. The ear, throat and nasal cavity are more often affected than the eyes. However, this does not mean that the latter do not get infected at all. Otherwise, this disease would not appear in this article.
Aspergillosis of the eyes is determined by the following symptoms: itching, desire to scratch the eyes, instant and instant deterioration in the quality and visual acuity, the appearance of edema and purulent discharge.
Often the disease is confused with conjunctivitis, sometimes you can even find the name "fungal conjunctivitis." The difference between the two diseases is that aspergillosis is precisely a fungal infection, while conjunctivitis is bacterial.
Candidiasis
Candidiasis is caused by the yeast Candida Albicans. Sometimes called thrush of the eyes. The development of candidiasis can contribute to immunodeficiency, diabetes mellitus, prolonged hormone therapy or prolonged use of antibiotics.
Symptoms of candidiasis include severe burning, redness of the eyelids and eyes, swelling, purulent discharge and a foreign body sensation. The disease is somewhat similar to conjunctivitis, however, it is characterized by the presence of white plaque throughout the infected area.
Sporotrichosis
Sporotrichosis is nothing more than mycosis, but deeper. Most often, travelers pick it up, because this disease is especially common in tropical countries. It is caused by the filamentous fungus Sporotrix schenkii, which affects the eyelids and tissues of the orbit.
Actinomycosis
A similar infection is caused by fungi of radiant species. It usually develops against the background of a weakened immune system. Often accompanied by infections of other organs of the face. It manifests itself as a strong reddening of the mucosa and the appearance of abscesses on the eyelids.
It is extremely important to understand that if you experience any of the symptoms of a disease, you need to consult an ophthalmologist.
Antifungal drug
In order for the drug to successfully cure an infection of fungal origin, the presence of a certain component that can kill pathogenic microorganisms is necessary. Depending on the active substance, antifungal drops for the eyes for a child and an adult are divided into:
- Antifungal antibiotics, or polyenes. Polyenes include natamycin, nystatin, amphotericin B and others. Not all polyenes are available in droplet form.
- Synthetic preparations. This is a separate group of antifungal eye drops with a wide spectrum of action, which include imidazoles, triazoles and other groups of drugs.
Systematic Impact
Antifungal eye drops, like antibacterial drugs, are divided into fungicidal and fungistatic according to their influence on pathogens-pathogens. The first include natamycin, ketocanazole, mikazole and others. Fungistatic drugs include nystanin. Not all of these drugs can be released in the form of drops.
However, this is exactly the most convenient form of using the drug. Very few drops are produced directly from fungal infections. Typically, this group of drugs has a wide spectrum of action.
Systematics of eye drops
Eye drops of the following types are found:
- Aminoglycosides. Pharmacological properties are based on interaction with cells (in this case, fungal cells). Such drops are safe, they do not cause any harm to health and are a means of combating pathogenic microflora.
- Fluoroquinolones. Drops of this type are highly active against gram-positive bacteria. They have an instant therapeutic effect. But they should be used with extreme caution. Since the active substance is distributed with the blood throughout the body. However, drops of this type are really effective. With equal success, they fight bacterial and fungal infections.
- Drops based on chloramphenicol. An antibiotic that disrupts the processes of protein synthesis in the cells of bacteria and fungi, changes them at the level of DNA and RNA. Such drops have very few side effects. Price is usually proportionate to quality. In especially advanced cases, this group of drugs will be useless.
Rules for using drops
There is a special classification of antifungal eye drops by disease. However, all of them must be used in accordance with the rules:
- Dosage. Elementary, but important to remember. The active substances of the drops in case of an overdose can create a favorable atmosphere for even greater development of the fungus.
- Hygiene. Before dripping drops, you need to wash your hands, rinse your eyes and remove all moisture.
- Compliance with the temperature regime. In case drops should be stored in the refrigerator, it is important to remember that they must be warmed up to room temperature before use.
- Proper use. You need to throw your head back, gently squeeze out a drop without touching the bottle with your eye. After you need to close the eyelids and gently massage, without rubbing or squinting.
Drugs to use
Unfortunately, in Russia there is not a single registered medicinal product aimed exclusively at eliminating the fungus in the eyes. There is only information about the use of drugs abroad.
If an initial stage of eye infection with a fungal nature of origin is detected, the ophthalmologist may prescribe Okomistin drops. Also quite often prescribed drops of antibacterial action, which are also extremely effective.
Okomistin
Miramistin-based eye drops. Depending on the quantitative content of the latter, the usual dose of 10% occurs. It costs about 200 rubles.
The manufacturer of the drops is the Russian company Infamed. Drops have a wide range of uses, help get rid of various types of bacterial diseases, and in the initial stages - from fungal infections of the eye.
The active substance of the drops acts on:
- bacteria: aerobic, gram-positive and gram-negative, chlamydia;
- viruses;
- fungi.
Acts only in the initial stages of infection. With developed diseases, it is already worth using more effective and powerful agents (ointments or tablets).
Such drops are contraindicated only in case of chronic bacterial diseases and eye infections, as well as in the treatment of injuries. Also contraindicated during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in the period up to 18 years.
May cause an allergic reaction. Sometimes it causes a burning sensation and discomfort, which usually pass quickly and do not require discontinuation of the drug.
The drug is stored for three years from the date of production, becomes unusable if the temperature conditions of storage are violated (at a temperature above 25 degrees, it begins to curl or precipitate).
Other drops
Why can ophthalmologists prescribe antibacterial drops against a fungal infection of the eye?
It is important to understand that many fungi are similar in structure to cells with bacteria. In most cases, all cells of living organisms work and function the same way, which allows some substances aimed at destroying bacteria to kill fungi. Based on this, a wide range of use of eye drops is caused.
On the shelves you can find such antifungal eye drops:
- Tsiprolet. The main effect of the drops is disinfection, the exclusion of the development of secondary infections. After use, there is a sensation of itching and burning, sometimes clouding is possible. But this is absolutely normal and should not cause panic.
- Tobrott. Affects many forms of bacteria and fungal pathogens.
- Sofradex At the heart of the drops are as many as three antibiotics. In this regard, with any other drugs containing antibiotics, they can not be used together - it is fraught with strong side effects and visual impairment.
- "Albucid". Antibiotic of the middle price segment. Effective for the treatment of conjunctivitis. It copes well with treatment in the initial stages of candidiasis. Sometimes it can cause burning and itching, however, it is basically completely safe and even recommended for treating children.
It is extremely important to approach eye health responsibly. It is better to begin to eliminate a fungal infection at the moment when it is really possible to defeat it with antibacterial agents. With the most minor symptoms, you should consult a specialist to eliminate a particular disease.