Optidex Eye/Ear Drops is used for the treatment of bacterial eye or ear infections. It is used to treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) and ear infections such as otitis media (middle ear infections) in children with ear tubes and otitis externa (outer ear infections) in adults and children. 

Optidex Eye/Ear Drops is a combination of two medicines: Chloramphenicol and Dexamethasone. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that acts by interfering with the formation of essential proteins required for bacterial growth. Dexamethasone is a steroid that reduces inflammation and symptoms associated with infection, such as redness and irritation. It works by inhibiting the chemicals, such as prostaglandins, that cause inflammation.

Use Optidex Eye/Ear Drops as prescribed by your doctor. The common side-effects of Optidex Eye/Ear Drops are burning/stinging sensation or redness, temporary blurred vision, watery eyes, eye discomfort, eye irritation, increased sensitivity to light, and ear discomfort (when used as ear drops). Most of these side effects of Optidex Eye/Ear Drops do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. If these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.

Do not use Optidex Eye/Ear Drops if you are allergic to any of its contents. Before using Optidex Eye/Ear Drops, inform your doctor if you have fungal infections, viral infections, such as herpes simplex or varicella, or parasitic infections, such as amoebiasis. Do not use Optidex Eye/Ear Drops if you have tuberculosis, damaged cornea, ulceration, lesions with missing skin that cover the eye or ear, and increased pressure inside the eye.  Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use Optidex Eye/Ear Drops with proper consultation and caution.

Optidex Eye/Ear Drops is a combination of two medicines: Chloramphenicol and Dexamethasone. Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that acts against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It acts by interfering with the formation of essential proteins required for bacterial growth. Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine with anti-inflammatory properties and acts by inhibiting the chemicals, such as prostaglandins, that cause inflammation. It also reduces symptoms associated with infection, such as redness and irritation.

• Burning/stinging sensation

• Redness
• Temporary blurred vision
• Watery eyes
• Eye discomfort
• Eye irritation
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Ear discomfort (when used as ear drops)

Before using Optidex Eye/Ear Drops, inform your doctor if you have vision problems, severe pain in the eye, sensitivity to light, inflammation of the eye, a rash on the scalp or face, the black or coloured part of the eye looks unusual, foreign body in the eye, recurrent eye infection, glaucoma (raised pressure in the eye), dry eyes, eye injury or eye surgery, or if you are using any other eye drops or eye ointment. It is advised to check with your doctor before using Optidex Eye/Ear Drops if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid driving, or operating machines since the administration of eye drops may cause temporary blurred vision. Optidex Eye/Ear Drops should be used for children only when advised by a doctor.

Drug-Drug Interaction: Optidex Eye/Ear Drops may interact with an anti-cancer agent (methotrexate), immunosuppressant (azathioprine), antiviral drug (ritonavir), and a medication used to treat HIV (cobicistat). 

Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found. 

Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have any fungal infection, viral infection, such as herpes simplex or varicella, parasitic infection, tuberculosis, damaged cornea, ulceration, and glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye) before starting Optidex Eye/Ear Drops.

• METHOTREXATE
• AZATHIOPRINE
• RITONAVIR
• COBICISTAT

Ear infections:

• Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.

• Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
• Know your allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust and other factors.
• Avoid getting things like shampoo, soap, and water into the ear as it can cause itching.
• Do not poke or scratch the ear as it can cause damage to the ear canal, leading to inflammation. The inflamed skin can be infected by bacteria or fungi, which can cause infections in the ear.

Eye infections:

• Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
• If you wear contact lenses: Clean and replace contact lenses more often. Never share contact lenses. Always remember to wash your hands before inserting and after removing the contact lens. 
• Avoid staring at the digital screens for longer durations. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes.
• Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight while using Optidex Eye/Ear Drops as it may cause increased photosensitivity (sensitivity to light).

Bacterial eye infection: A bacterial eye infection occurs when bacteria invade any part of the eyeball or its surrounding tissues, including the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) and the conjunctiva (thin membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids). A bacterial eye infection symptoms include red eyes, pain, swelling of the eyes, watery eyes, itching, and blurry vision. Some very common eye infections are conjunctivitis (the inflammation and irritation of the eye's mucous membrane (conjunctiva), style (bump on the eyelid), uveitis (inflammation of the uvea-middle layer of the eye), marginal keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).

Bacterial ear infection: Bacterial ear infection occurs when bacteria infect the outer or middle ear. The most common bacterial strains that cause ear infections are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza. Symptoms include earache (sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain), the feeling of fullness in the ear, ear drainage, and muffled hearing. Treatment may include over-the-counter painkillers, anti-allergic drugs, antibiotics, and steroids.