Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution belongs to a class of prescription medications known as quinolone antibiotics, and is used to treat eye infections. In the United States, its brand name is Ocuflox. Olfoxicin only stops the growth of bacteria and is not a useful treatment for other infections, including those caused by viruses. It is used as an eye drop and comes in a dropper bottle for direct application. As this medication is used to treat potentially contagious eye infections, care should be taken not to contaminate the applicator tip of the bottle.
Conjuctivitis
Ofloxacin can be an effective treatment for adult conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pinkeye. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common forms of eye infection. The infection causes the transparent membrane around the eye, called the conjunctiva, to become inflamed. This irritates blood vessels in the eye, producing the typical pink or red discoloration on the white of the eye.
Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution can treat infections from both gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, and the gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacter cloacae, Haemophilus influenzae, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Corneal Ulcers
Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution is also used to treat corneal ulcers in adults. Infections of the eye can progress to the point where an ulcer forms on the cornea, the dome of transparent material that covers the front of the eye.
Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution can treat corneal ulcers caused by the same gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria that cause conjunctivitis and is also effective against infections from Serratia marcescens and Propionibacterium acnes.
Veterinary Applications
In veterinary medicine, Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution is also used to treat serious eye infections in dogs, cats and other animals.
