Prescription eye drops | Eye drops for red eyes

Prescription eye drops

Prescription eye drops include in particular those containing antibiotics, cortisone or painkillers such as diclofenac. Drops containing cortisone are administered to the eye especially in cases of inflammation of various kinds. They reduce the inflammation and counteract the spread of bacteria.

Eye drops containing antibiotics such as Ofloxacin or Chloramphenicol are also used for bacterial inflammation. Eye drops containing the active ingredient Aciclovir are helpful in cases of viral inflammation of the eye. Prescription drugs also include those used to treat glaucoma.

Since an acute glaucoma attack is an increase in pressure inside the eye, active ingredients such as ocular beta blockers and prostaglandins are used to reduce the production of tear fluid. This prevents the pressure from increasing further. In addition, the tear fluid can drain off to a greater extent, so that the pressure is equalised again. Here it is essential that the treatment of an acute glaucoma attack is supervised by a specialist doctor.

Eye drops with antibiotics

Eye drops containing antibiotics can be used for inflammations of the eye. However, taking the eye drops with antibiotics only makes sense if there is also a bacterial cause of the complaints. For example, conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria, but often viruses are also the cause.

The assessment whether a bacterial or viral disease is present should be carried out by a general practitioner or ophthalmologist. Depending on the underlying pathogen, different antibiotic agents must be chosen. Antibiotic eye drops are available only on prescription.

Eye drops with cortisone

Eye drops with cortisone should only be used for red eyes if there is a disease of the eyes (e.g. allergic irritation or dehydration of the eyes due to autoimmune diseases). These diseases can be treated with cortisone, so that the active substance can also have its effect on the eye. Eye drops containing cortisone include Vividrin® Ectoin, Siccaprotect®, Bepanthen® eye drops containing cortisone and Crom-Ophtal®.

Eye drops for allergy

For allergies, eye drops containing anti-allergic active ingredients are particularly suitable. These include all eye drops containing the active ingredient cetirizine. These are eye drops such as Allergo Comod®, CromoHexal®, Vividrin® and Crom-Opthal®. Soothing and moisturizing eye drops without explicitly anti-allergic active ingredients can also be taken for irritated eyes caused by allergies. Some of these eye drops may also contain cortisone, which downregulates the allergic reaction of the body.

Eye drops against red eyes after alcohol

After drinking alcohol, reddened eyes typically appear the next morning. Various eye drops are suitable to relieve irritation of the eyes. The most important thing is that the eyes receive sufficient moisture.

Simple saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) can be purchased from a pharmacy. Drinking a lot can also relieve red eyes. In addition, various non-prescription eye drops such as Visine®, Clear eyes®, Perfrin®, Optex®, Hylo-Comod® and Euphrasia® can be used.