Eye ointment against frequent diseases of the eye | Eye ointments

Eye ointment against frequent diseases of the eye

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common inflammations of the eye. The most common reason is drying out due to lack of tear fluid (so-called conjunctivitis sicca). It is best treated with so-called tear substitutes.

However, these are more often found in drop form than as ointment. Cortisone preparations are not indicated as they aggravate the dryness of the eye and make it susceptible to infections (see below). Another trigger for conjunctivitis is an allergy, such as hay fever.

Here too, however, eye drops (the active ingredient is chromoglycic acid) are used rather than ointments. Infectious conjunctivitis can also be caused by bacteria. Here antibiotically effective ointments are used (see above).

Viral (also infectious) conjunctivitis can, for example, be caused by a primary infection by the herpes simplex virus in children. Aciclovir in ointment form is very effective here, and should also be given systemically in tablet form at the same time. If the virus reactivates, the cornea is more likely to be affected (keratitis), acyclovir ointment is also helpful here.

The so-called barleycorn (technical term: hordeolum) is an inflammation of the eyelid, more precisely of the eyelid edge glands. The infection is usually caused by staphylococci, more rarely by streptococci. The forming abscess is accompanied by an accumulation of pus as well as swelling, redness and pain of the affected eyelid.

As long as the abscess is localized, the barleycorn can heal spontaneously and without therapy. Alternatively, the healing process can be supported by dry heat, e.g. by irradiation with an infrared lamp. It is better not to use warm, moist compresses, as the moisture favours the spread of the infection and is not conducive to healing.

Hygiene is essential to prevent the bacteria from being carried away from the barley grain. Accordingly, one should not try to squeeze the barleycorn to remove the pus or touch it often with one’s hands. To prevent the barleycorn from spreading to other eyelid glands, it can be treated well with a combination of antibiotic eye drops and ointments.

The drops are used during the day and the ointment at night. Gentamicin or erythromycin, for example, are suitable as active ingredients. Vitamin A eye ointment is particularly suitable for dry eyes.

Often the cause is a disturbance of the tear film, which can be remedied by the eye ointment. Vitamin A is a natural component of the tear film and therefore the use of vitamin A-containing eye ointment can improve the symptoms. The active substance heparin also has a positive effect on the symptom relief of dry eyes.

Due to the comparable physiological properties, heparin and the natural mucous layer of the tears are similar. When using eye ointments containing heparin, this leads to an improvement of the symptoms and the cornea, conjunctiva and eyelids are moisturised. Many eye drops also help with dry eyes.

  • If the cornea shows signs of dehydration, ointments are used which have a positive effect on the tear film and moisten the eye. The active ingredients vitamin A and heparin are particularly important here and should be part of the eye ointment. – The over-the-counter Bepanthen Eye and Nose Ointment can also help with corneal injuries.
  • In order to accelerate the regeneration of the cornea, ointments containing the active ingredient dexpanthenol are particularly helpful. However, these only support the healing of skin lesions of the cornea or help in the symptomatic treatment of symptoms of corneal dehydration. – On the other hand, the antibiotic ofloxacin, which is prescribed for corneal inflammation or corneal ulcers, can help with a bacterial infection of the cornea.
  • If it is a viral infection of the cornea, Zovirax eye ointment can be used. If there are allergic reactions of the cornea, ointments containing cortisone can provide symptom relief (e.g. Ficortril). Inflammation of the eyelid margin or blepharitis is a disease in which the flow of sebum from the sebaceous glands of the eyes is disturbed.

It is triggered by: Eye ointments containing cortisone are often prescribed for blepharitis, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. If it is a bacterial eyelid inflammation, antibiotic ointments can also be used. In the case of inflammation of the eyelid margin that is not caused by pathogens, Posiformin® 2% eye ointment can be applied, which can be purchased over the counter from a pharmacy.

  • Barley grains
  • Rosacea
  • Allergy
  • Dry skin

Almost all eye ointments are particularly suitable for overnight application, as they can be spread over the entire eye surface when the eyes are closed. After the application of eye ointments, vision is often impaired, which is why the ointments can/should be used well at night. Eye ointments that work overnight can be especially helpful in cases of dryness of the eye.

Often patients suffer from dry, burning eyes, especially overnight. Intensive moisturization is possible with special ointments for the night. Examples are:

  • Artelac Nighttime Gel
  • Xailin Night eye ointment
  • VitA-POS eye ointment