Eye Health What To Know About Erythromycin Eye Ointment It can treat bacterial eye infections in a range of ages By Mali Schantz-Feld Mali Schantz-Feld is a medical journalist with over 25 years of experience covering a wide range of health, medicine, and dental topics. Learn about our editorial process Mali Schantz-Feld Published on January 27, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Before Taking Dosage Side Effects Warnings and Interactions Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is an eye ointment used for the treatment of bacterial eye infections like bacterial conjunctivitis. This ointment is also used to prevent bacterial infections in the eye in newborns. Erythromycin is in a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics, and works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It is not used to treat eye infections caused by a virus or fungus. There are multiple brand names of this medication, including Ilotycin Ophthalmic and Romycin Ophthalmic, but there are also generic versions. buradaki/Getty Images Uses Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is used for bacterial eye infections in adults and common eye infections in newborn babies. Bacterial Conjunctivitis Ophthalmic erythromycin is commonly prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis, which can cause red and swollen eyes. Not all conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, however, and can be treated with this ointment. Using an eye ointment for bacterial conjunctivitis can help you heal faster and allow earlier return to school or work. Bacterial Keratitis Bacterial keratitis is an infection of the cornea (the clear dome covering the colored part of the eye) caused by bacteria. It can also be treated with erythromycin ophthalmic ointment. Blepharitis Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids caused by bacteria on the skin or at the base of the eyelashes or by problems with oil glands in the eyelids. Your doctor will prescribe erythromycin ophthalmic ointment if you have this condition. 3 Alternative Ways to Treat Stubborn Blepharitis Infectious Uveitis Uveitis can be caused by bacteria, a virus, a fungus, or parasites. When bacteria are the cause, antibiotic ointments may be used as part of the treatment. Uveitis refers to swelling and irritation of the middle layer of the eye called the uvea. Neonatal Conjunctivitis Erythromycin ointment is used as a harmless and cost-effective means of treating neonatal conjunctivitis, which is also called ophthalmia neonatorum. Ophthalmic erythromycin can help prevent vision loss caused by bacteria that can enter the baby’s eyes during childbirth. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria that can be introduced into a newborn’s eyes during childbirth through the mother's birth canal and permanently damage the corneas. Newborns usually receive erythromycin ophthalmic ointment (0.5%) in each eye one time soon after birth. Erythromycin is the only antibiotic ointment recommended for use in newborns. Conditions to Watch for in a Newborn's Eyes Before Taking Your doctor will determine whether a virus, bacterium, or allergen is causing the conjunctivitis based on your health history, symptoms, and an eye examination. Your doctor may collect a sample of eye discharge from the infected eye and send it to the laboratory to identify the cause. Wearing contact lenses is not recommended during treatment. The ointment can cause the contact lens to move out of its proper position, or may coat the lens and cause your vision to be blurry. Wearing your lenses can also cause irritation or aggravate your eye problem. Ask your doctor when you can resume wearing contact lenses. You should also talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Be sure to let your doctor know all the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. Also tell your doctor if you are using any eye drops or eye medications. How to Use Antibiotic Eye Ointments Precautions and Contraindications You should tell your doctor if you’re allergic to erythromycin or any medication in this drug class. You should also inform your doctor of any other allergies you have since these ointments may have inactive ingredients like mineral oil and petrolatum that can still cause allergic reactions. After applying the ointment, you may have blurred vision for a short time. Avoid driving, working with any dangerous tools or machinery, or doing anything that requires you to be able to see clearly. The risks of this ointment passing into breast milk are not known. If you are nursing, ask your doctor if it's safe to use erythromycin ointment. Dosage The dose of this medication will be determined by your doctor, and will be different depending on the severity of the infection. Use erythromycin ophthalmic ointment exactly as directed. For Adults Approximately 1 cm in length (less than half an inch) of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment should be applied directly to the infected eye up to six times a day, depending on the severity of the infection. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses. For Babies In newborn baby’s eyes, the doctor will apply 1 cm of ointment to the small pocket below the baby’s eye one time right after delivery. The ointment should not be washed out of the baby's eyes. How To Take and Store Here are some helpful tips on how to use erythromycin ophthalmic ointment: Wash your hands with soap and waterHave a mirror ready so that you can see your eyeTilt your head back slightlyGently pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket between the eye and the lower lidHold the ointment tube with the tip pointing toward this pocket. Hold it close enough so that the ointment goes into the eye, but not close enough to touch the eye Look up and away from the tipSqueeze out a small amount of ointment into the lower eyelid pocket without touching the tip of the tube to your eye. Usually about 1 cm, which is a bit less than half an inch of ointment, is enough, but follow your doctor’s instructions on the amountGently close your eye and then keep it closed for one or two minutes so the medicine can be absorbedGently use a clean tissue to wipe excess ointment from your eyelashes. Do not push, put pressure, or rub your eyeReplace the cap immediately after use It's important that you use erythromycin ophthalmic ointment until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using ophthalmic erythromycin too soon, your infection may not be completely cured and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics. Make sure the cap is tightly closed on the ointment tube, and keep out of reach of children. Store the tube at room temperature and away from moisture. Do not freeze the ointment. Side Effects Common While using erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, you may experience common side effects such as: RednessStingingBurningTemporary blurred vision Prolonged use of erythromycin eye ointment may lead to fungal infections, probably because the antibiotic removes the normal microorganisms in the eye. Tell your doctor if you notice new eye symptoms or if your eye symptoms are getting worse. Severe reactions Severe allergic reactions to erythromycin eye ointment are rare, but they do happen. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including: RashHivesDifficulty breathingItchingSwelling of the face, tongue, or throat Warnings and Interactions Drugs and supplements may interact with each other. Therefore, when your doctor prescribes an antibiotic eye ointment, it's important to be clear about all the over-the-counter and prescription medications you are taking. In rare instances, erythromycin can negatively affect the liver, but that has only been found to be the case in oral erythromycin and not the ointment. Still, it's worth letting your doctor know about everything you are taking. Are Generic Drugs Safe? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires generic drugs to have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand-name drug. The generic manufacturer must prove its drug is the same (bioequivalent) as the brand-name drug. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Erythromycin Ophthalmic. Updated January 15, 2017. Azari AA, Barney NP. Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment. JAMA. 2013 Oct 23;310(16):1721-9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Basics of Bacterial Keratitis. Updated April 7, 2014. 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