Azasite and blepharitis

[Whitesmith]

I suppose you could extend this question to steroids and other short term antibiotics- I recently started a course of Azasite for my blepharitis but like the medicines I mentioned it is to be applied for only a few weeks. What is the purpose behind short term treatments for a chronic disease?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

To sterilize the eyelid or treat existing infectiohs such as styes.

Use TheraTears SteriLId eyelid cleaner for "natural' antibiotic use.

JCH III MD

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Sometimes the treatments can be used longer - but under the direction of an ophthalmologist.  Generally, any infectious component should be improved after that long of a course of antibiotics, and after that attention should still be directed toward lid hygeine (the chronic treatment.)  So the antibiotics may be shorter term but other part of the treatment like scrubs, compresses are long term.

MJK MD