Corneal abrasion antibiotics

Because an infection slows the healing of a corneal abrasion, prophylactic antibiotics are often used. Studies on the efficacy of this are mixed. Discontinue the use of contact lenses until the abrasion is healed and the antibiotic course complete. In contact lens wearers, choose an antibiotic that covers Pseudomonas aeruginosa, like gentamicin ointment or solution or a fluoroquinolone.3 Antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem. Resistance occurs primarily with older antibiotics, but has been reported for fluoroquinolones as well. Two newer fluoroquinolones, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin, do not yet have reports of resistance. These agents are more expensive.6... 

Small corneal abrasions typically heal quickly (24 to 36 hours). Topical prophylactic antibiotic therapy protects the disrnpted corneal epithelium from secondary infection as the tissne heals. Broad-spectrum ophthalmic antibiotic drops, snch as 0.3% tobramycin or 0.5% moxi-floxacin, may be instilled four times daily, along with a broad-spectrnm antibiotic ointment such as 0.3% tobramycin or 0.3% ciprofloxacin instilled at bedtime. Prophylactic topical antibiotic therapy can be discontin-ned once the corneal epithelium has healed. 

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