I have been using blephamide eyedrops for five months. Is this medication safe for long-term use?

Ahmad

Blephamide is an eyedrop that contains both an antibiotic (sulfacetamide) and an anti-inflammatory (prednisolone, a type of corticosteroid) medication. Tobradex is also an eyedrop combination of an antibiotic and corticosteroid but contains different drugs (tobramycin and dexamethasone). Blephamide and Tobradex are intended for short-term use for eye conditions such as conjunctivitis, styes and very mild corneal conditions. Some ophthalmologists also prescribe this medication after eye surgery.

These drops should not be used for long periods of time for a number of reasons. First, bacteria can develop resistance when a particular antibiotic is used for an extended period. Due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, some of our most powerful antibiotics are now helpless against certain resistant organisms. From the standpoint of the individual patient, a more immediate reason not to use Blephamide or Tobradex over the long term is that corticosteroids can cause significant side effects. The most dangerous is glaucoma. If not detected and treated in time, steroid-induced glaucoma can lead to loss of vision and eventual blindness. Steroids can also induce the formation of a cataract. If a steroid-induced cataract develops, it can be treated with surgery.