Antifungal eye drops are part of the treatment regimen for fungal eye infections. They are different from regular eye drops for dry eyes (artificial tears).
The most commonly prescribed antifungal eye drops include:
- Amphotericin B
- Natamycin
- Fluconazole
- Voriconazole
- Ketoconazole
Doctors consider the following when diagnosing and treating an eye infection:
- Type of fungus
- Severity of infection
- The affected eye
Which Antifungal Eye Drops Are Best For You?
Your doctor will determine which antifungal eye drops are best for you based on the following:
- Infection type
- Intensity of the infection
- Part of your eye affected by the infection
Most fungal infections, including infectious keratitis and mycotic keratitis, are treatable. However, seeing an ophthalmologist as soon as possible is important.
There is a risk of permanent damage to intraocular components and visual acuity if you leave infections untreated. A thorough ophthalmology exam ensures proper, prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Your susceptibility to an eye infection is higher if you wear contact lenses or spend a lot of time outdoors.
Diagnosis & Types of Antifungal Eye Drops
To diagnose a fungal eye infection, your doctor will examine your eye by taking a small sample of tissue or fluid from your eye. This is not painful, and it does not damage your eye.
Here are the types of antifungal eye drops:
Prescription Eye Drops
Several types of prescription antifungal eye medications exist for fungal keratitis and other fungal eye infections. Natamycin eye drops treat infections involving the outer layer of the eye, particularly those caused by fungi such as Aspergillus and Fusarium.
Deeper infections usually require treatment and drops. This includes topical Natamycin paired with other antifungal medications such as:
- Amphotericin B
- Fluconazole
- Vfend (voriconazole)
- Econazole
These are oral or intravenous medications. They can also be topical medications placed directly into the eye or the skin surrounding the eye. Rare instances in which the infection doesn’t heal might require surgery.
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Eye Drops
You can buy OTC antifungal eye drops to treat fungal eye infections. However, you should consult an eye doctor before using any of them. Fungal eye infections can be severe, and they can put you at risk of blindness if they’re not treated properly.
It’s essential that your doctor examines your eye and determines the location of the infection to assess your overall eye health.
How Do Fungal Eye Infections Occur?
Fungal eye infections occur in one of two ways. It can be caused by keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea. Or it can be caused by endophthalmitis, which is an infection inside of the eye.
The most common causes of fungal eye infections include:
- Eye injury, particularly from perforation by plant material like a thorn or stick
- Eye surgery (most commonly corneal transplant surgery or cataract surgery)
- Chronic eye diseases that involve the surface of the eye
- Contact lenses, especially if you sleep in them
- Exposure to contaminated medical products
- Fungal bloodstream infection
- Use of corticosteroids
- Weakened immune system
- Diabetes
Types of Fungi that Cause Infections
The most common types of fungi that cause ocular infections include:
- Fusarium. Found in soil and on plants
- Aspergillus. Found in indoor and outdoor environments
- Candida. Yeast that lives on human skin and the protective lining inside the body (mucous membrane)
Fungal eye infections are rare. However, they can be serious and require medical treatment. Most of the time, treatment includes antifungal eye drops, ointments, and pills.
Side Effects of Antifungal Eye Drops
Antifungal eye drops are safe and effective, but side effects may occur. The most common side effect is mild irritation or discomfort.
Severe side effects could indicate an allergic reaction to the medication. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following after using Natamycin or any other type of antifungal drug or topical medication:
- Rash
- Swelling
- Itching
- Reaction felt in the face, throat, or tongue
- Dizziness
- Breathing difficulty
Despite the discomfort caused by antifungal eye drops, doctors believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Never stop using the medication without first consulting your doctor. If you believe the side effects you experience using eye drops are intolerable, speak to your doctor.
Summary
All fungal eye infections must receive treatment with antifungal medication. Deeper infections might require multiple treatments and more healing time than surface infections.
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops are available to treat fungal eye infections. However, you should consult your doctor first before using OTC eye drops because eye infections can cause vision loss or blindness if they’re not treated properly.
Although antifungal eye drops are safe, you may still experience rare side effects or an allergic reaction. However, most doctors believe the benefits of antifungal eye drops outweigh the risks.
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