Question about my prescription regarding pink eye

[JohnGig]

I was told i had pink eye in both eyes due to a virus. The doctor told me to take neopolydex and now i have two questions.

1) reading the description of the medicine it states that it only treats bacterial infections and not viral infections and it can actually worsen a pink eye caused by a virus

2) i was told to take it for 2 weeks. Everyone i know who had pink eye ointments only had to take them for 1 week. While reading about the ointments it says that it should not be taking longer than 10 days unless and the serious side effects could be cataracts and glaucoma.

This scares me, is it possible to stop taking the medicine sooner than 2 weeks?

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

1. True. Antibiotics do not kill viruses.
2. True. Prolonged use of steroids can cause glaucoma or cataracts. 2 weeks is not long
3. You will need to discuss with your eye doctor your case.

[JohnGig]

Thankyou for the quick response Dr Hagan. What do you consider prolonged use? Only reason that I was worried was because while reading the side effects it says I shouldn’t use this drug for longer than 10 days. Today is my 3rd day using it and my pink eye is mostly gone in both eyes so would it be terrible if I stop taking it at just a week if it’s gone by then.

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

Generally 'prolonged" would be 6 weeks or more.

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

Plus like any medicine most people don't have those side effects.

[JohnGig]

Out of curosity is neopolydex usually given out for pinkeye? and do you think it would be wise to go for the followup a week early and ask if its ok to stop taking the ointments.

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

Most conjuctivitis is NOT treated with steroids and many are self limiting and do not even require antibiotics. I am not going to tell you what to do about a medication I did not prescribe and have not examined your eye.