Eye drops for newborns: what can I use?

Eye drops for newborns can be used both for the prevention of various problems, and for treatment. It is very important that mothers know which drops and when to use them better, and also knew about possible complications of treatment.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Indications Eye drops for newborns

Indications for the use of such local medicines are not limited only to the treatment of eye pathology, but also drops are used for preventive purposes.

Among all indications for the use of eye drops, the most common problem is inflammation or conjunctivitis. How does the child become infected and how is the infection progressing?

Neonatal conjunctivitis, is an infection that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva during the first four weeks of a child's life. The conjunctiva is a layer of thin tissue that covers the inner part of the eyelid and the white part of the eye. For the development of inflammation, it is necessary that bacteria get on an unprotected mucous membrane. Frequent pathogens of such inflammation in newborns are chlamydia and gonococci. The only way for newborns to become infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea is if the mother has this infection during labor. Of newborns born to mothers with untreated gonorrhea, 1 in 3 newborns risk having gonorrheal conjunctivitis, which carries a high risk of blindness. In the absence of treatment, gonorrhea can begin to cause a loss of vision in just 24 hours. The risk of a newborn who received chlamydia from an infected mother varies from 8 to 44%. Chlamydia has a low risk of blindness, but can still cause eye damage and, as a rule, loss of vision, if not treated.

But it is also believed that other bacteria cause 30-50% of eye infections, as well as gonococcus and chlamydia. These include: Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus group A and B, Corynebacterium species, Moraxella catarrhalis. These bacteria live on the skin, in the lungs, in the vagina, stomach and intestines. Medical personnel who care for newborns can have the above bacteria and have no symptoms. This means that every time a new person has contact with a child, the risk of infection of the newborn increases. This proves the high need for prophylactic application of eye drops in newborns immediately after birth. These drops are specifically designed to prevent bacterial eye infections.

The goal of preventive use of eye drops of an antibiotic is to prevent the infection of tissues surrounding the eyes caused by bacteria that may be present in the birth canal. Bacteria can be ordinary bacteria or bacteria associated with sexually transmitted diseases. Bacteria associated with gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause permanent visual impairment, and can spread throughout the body, causing other serious problems.

Within an hour after birth, newborns are usually prescribed antibiotic eye drops to prevent eye infections. The use of eye antibiotics for newborns, both in the form of a solution and in the form of an ointment, is now considered the standard of care in most developed countries and is actually enshrined in many states. The names of the drops that are used most often are Levomycetin, Tobrex, Floxal and Albucid or Sulfacil sodium. The use of these drops with a preventive purpose in Ukraine is regulated by recommendations and protocols.

There are also viral infections of the eyes and conjunctivitis caused by a blocked outflow of tears due to a plug in the nasolacrimal canal. In such cases, eye drops for children with redness, conjunctivitis, inflammation can be used all of the above, as well as some others - Ophthalmoferon, Collargol, Okomistin, Tsipromed, Emoxipine.

Many such drops have no fundamental difference in their use. The only thing that distinguishes these drops is the composition. Therefore, if your child has any problems with the eyes, then the doctor can advise you any of these drops.

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Release form

Levomycetin is a topical preparation in the form of the antibiotic of the same name. It has a wide application, as in the case of bacterial lesions of the eyes, and for prevention. Also, the drug is used for irritation of the eye mucosa, redness.

Tobrex is a drop containing antibiotic tobramycin. This substance has a pronounced oppressive effect on many aerobic, anaerobic bacteria. With the action of the drug, the bacterial wall is destroyed and the microorganism is killed.

Ophthalmoferon are special eye drops, which are a solution of interferon, so they are effective for viral lesions of the eyes. The drug can be used in adenovirus conjunctivitis, with cytomegalovirus lesions of the eyes in a newborn.

Vitabact is an eye drop that contains picloxidine, as the main active substance, which mainly has antiseptic properties. Therefore, the drug is mainly used for the prevention. The drug is allowed for children from scratch.

Floxal - a drug that consists of the active substance - ofloxacin. It is an antibiotic with a wide activity against many microbes, which allows the use of drops in the treatment of many inflammatory processes in the eyes.

Albacide or Sulfacil sodium are drops that contain the same-name active substance from the sulfonamide group. The drug has only oppressive activity against bacteria and does not lead to their death. Therefore, it is better to use the drug for prevention and as an antiseptic.

Collargol is an eye drop based on silver that has an antiseptic and anti-edematous effect. The drug can be used to prevent viral and certain bacterial complications of the eyes.

Ocomistin consists of miramistin - an active substance with antiseptic and decongestant properties. The drug acts as a surfactant that destroys the bacterial wall, and at the same time leads to the movement of water into the intercellular space, which reduces swelling in inflammation of the conjunctiva. Due to this, the drug can be used as a preventive and therapeutic agent.

Cipromed is an eye drop, the main active ingredient of which is ciprofloxacin. This antibiotic has a bactericidal effect on many bacteria, so it can be used for inflammation of the conjunctiva, as well as for preventing the transmission of infections from the mother to the baby at the time of birth.

Emoksipin - this eye drops, which consist of the same substance. The drug has an effect on cells, activates their work by stabilizing the membrane and normalizing blood circulation and metabolism in conjunctival or retinal cells. Antiseptic properties of the drug does not, therefore, mainly its use in degenerative eye injuries in newborns or hereditary or congenital pathologies.

Azidrop - azithromycin drops for topical application. Such drops, due to their composition, have pronounced destructive properties on most microorganisms. The use of the drug in newborns only on the advice of a doctor, since the instructions do not indicate the safety of this application.

Vigamox - antibacterial eye drops of the moxifloxacin group. This antibiotic is active against many bacteria, including anaerobic and intracellular parasites.

[8], [9]

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacodynamics of all drops for the eyes is in the corresponding local antibacterial or antiviral effect. All drugs begin to act within a few minutes of eye treatment, since there is direct contact with the causative agent of the infection.

[10], [11], [12], [13], [14]

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of eye drops consists in their absorption and ingress into the bloodstream, from where the drugs are excreted through the kidneys mainly.

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Dosing and administration

The method of application of eye drops is only in the local form. Bury in both eyes, first in a healthy eye, and then into the affected. In this case, the drops should have a body temperature, so before using it, they should be heated in the hand. Dosage of the drugs has no special differences - one drop two or three times a day. In an acute period it is possible more often, but no more than four times a day for newborns.

Contraindications

Contraindications to use are limited only to those cases when there is an anamie in a mother or child allergy to the relevant active substance.

[18], [19]

Side effects Eye drops for newborns

Side effects of all eye drops can be expressed only as local reactions in the form of tingling, rubbing in the eyes or unpleasant sensations. Systemic reactions or overdose can be only with uncontrolled intake of eye drops inside.

[20], [21], [22]

Interactions with other drugs

Interactions with other drugs are not noted.

[23], [24], [25]

Storage conditions

The conditions for storing eye drops should limit the possibility that children can get them and take them out of their intended purpose. 

[26], [27]

Shelf life

The shelf-life of some eye drops decreases after opening the package, so you should carefully read the instructions.

[28], [29], [30]

Analogues of different drops for the eyes allow you to choose not only effective drops, but also affordable and quality. Reviews for different drops are different, because each case of application is individual. Therefore, do not rely on advice, but you need to follow the doctor's recommendations.

Children's eye drops from conjunctivitis and other viral or bacterial lesions are one of the main effective elements of local therapy. Immediately after birth, your baby receives eye drops that prevent the development of such infectious problems. Therefore, do not be afraid of this, and before applying any drops consult with your doctor, as a wide selection of eye drops can lead you into difficulty about the etiology of eye infection in the child.