Eye drops and ointments containing antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for viral conjunctivitis, because antibiotics do not treat viral infections. This may upset some patients who mistakenly think that antibiotics treat viruses. In our culture, many people expect the doctor to prescribe antibiotics for a large variety of ailments. The health care system has been criticized for the overuse of antibiotics.

Some antibiotic medications are used for bacterial conjunctivitis. Most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis will clear without medical treatment, but antibiotics can shorten the duration of the bacterial conjunctivitis. Since conjunctivitis is contagious, some schools and companies require that students and employees be treated for conjunctivitis before returning to school or work. A doctor’s note may be required.

This can make it difficult on some people who do not have time or health insurance to seek treatment for a condition that would likely resolve on its own in a matter of days. In addition, if the conjunctivitis is caused by a viral infection, it is usually left untreated whether medical treatment is sought or not. Some doctors discourage patients from seeking treatment for conjunctivitis unless there are severe symptoms or complications. However, many patients need proof that the conjunctivitis has been medically treated, so they will seek medical treatment for even minor cases of conjunctivitis even if the cause is likely to be viral or allergies.

A topical antibiotic is an ointment that is applied to the eyes. The use of the topical antibiotic polymyxin-bacitracin shortens the time that the person has pink eye. According to one study about the use of polymyxin-bacitracin, sixty-two percent of people with bacterial conjunctivitis had been cured of pink eye within three to five days. Of those who received a placebo treatment, only twenty-eight percent were free of symptoms within five days. Eight to ten days after treatment was initiated, there was no difference between those who had the antibiotic treatment and those who were given a placebo.

Other studies have had different results. One study with antibiotic eye drops showed no significant different in the time it took for the symptoms to clear with the use of a placebo. The researchers of that study pointed out that the real need for change is for school officials and the general public to be educated about conjunctivitis. Studies that show that antibiotics do not provide significant improvement in the treatment of conjunctivitis does not do much good if school officials still require parents to have their children treated with antibiotics before returning to school. The researchers in one study that showed little improvement with antibiotic treatment called for further research to determine if the use of antibiotics truly reduces the risk of spreading conjunctivitis.