Besifloxacin for Post‑Op Eye Infections: Evidence, Dosing, and When to Use It
Clear, practical guide to besifloxacin after eye surgery: when it helps, how to dose, where it fits vs moxifloxacin/tobramycin, and how to manage early post‑op infections.
Bacterial Keratitis: What You Need to Know Right Now
Ever woken up with a red, painful eye that feels gritty? It could be bacterial keratitis, a fast‑moving infection of the cornea. If you ignore it, you risk permanent vision loss. The good news? Most cases clear up with prompt treatment, and you can take simple steps to speed recovery.
What is Bacterial Keratitis?
Bacterial keratitis is an infection that attacks the clear front window of the eye – the cornea. It usually starts after a tiny scratch, a contact‑lens mishap, or exposure to contaminated water. Common culprits are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The bacteria multiply, causing swelling, ulceration, and often a thick yellow‑white discharge.
Typical symptoms show up within a day or two and include:
- Intense redness that spreads beyond the white of the eye
- Burning or throbbing pain, especially when you blink
- Blurred vision or a feeling that something is stuck in the eye
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Noticeable discharge that may crust over overnight
If any of these signs appear, don’t wait. Seek an eye‑care professional right away. Early diagnosis usually involves a slit‑lamp exam and a quick swab of the cornea to identify the bacteria.
How to Manage and Treat It
Once a doctor confirms bacterial keratitis, treatment kicks in fast. The main weapon is antibiotic eye drops, sometimes paired with oral antibiotics for severe cases. You’ll likely need to use the drops every hour at first – it sounds intense, but it keeps the medicine in constant contact with the infection.
Here are practical steps you can follow while under medical care:
- Follow the dosing schedule exactly. Missed drops give the bacteria a chance to bounce back.
- Avoid contact lenses. Throw them out until the doctor says it’s safe to resume.
- Don’t rub your eye. Rubbing can spread the infection and worsen damage.
- Keep the eye clean. Use a sterile saline rinse if recommended, and gently wipe away crusted discharge with a clean cotton pad.
- Rest the eye. Limit screen time, reading, and bright lights. Wear sunglasses outdoors to reduce glare.
Most people start feeling relief within 48‑72 hours, but finish the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms fade. Stopping early can let resistant bacteria linger and cause a recurrence.
In rare cases where the infection doesn’t respond, doctors may need to prescribe fortified antibiotic drops prepared in a pharmacy, or consider a short course of oral steroids to control inflammation after the infection is under control.
Prevention is easier than cure. If you wear contacts, always wash your hands, use fresh solution, and never top‑up old fluid. Avoid swimming or showering with lenses in, and replace lenses and cases regularly. For anyone with frequent eye irritation, a quick check‑up can spot tiny scratches before they become full‑blown keratitis.
Bottom line: bacterial keratitis is serious, but it’s also treatable when caught early. Recognize the red‑eye warning signs, act fast, and stick to the treatment plan. Your vision will thank you.
