Ophthalmic steroids with anti-infectives 

Ophthalmic steroids with anti-infectives are preparations designed to be applied into the eyes. They contain steroids and anti-infectives. Steroids are effective anti-inflammatory agents and are used to treat pain and inflammation. The anti-infectives commonly present in eye drops are antibiotics that either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Steroids and antibiotics in combination are used to treat eye infections, which have pain and inflammation component or they can be used post surgery to prevent infections and to treat the inflammation.

With the advent of combination preparations containing topical steroid and antibiotic such as Betnesol N® (betamethasone and neomycin) and Maxitrol® (dexamethasone and neomycin) there appear to be some who favour this ‘blanket’ treatment.

Dexamethasone can be combined with an antibiotic as eye drops, eye ointment, ear drops or ear spray. They’re usually prescribed if you have eye inflammation and your eye could become infected.