Do not give antibiotics for a recently developed hordeolum. If inflammatory signs are present for >2 weeks and there are severe symptoms and no tendency to heal:
- chloramphenicol eye drops 0.5%, 1-2 drops every 2-3 hours for 14 days (not for children < 2 years)
- OR chloramphenicol eye ointment 1%, 2-4 times daily apply a 1 cm strip of ointment to the inner surface of the lower eyelid for 14 days. The eye ointment causes blurred vision; the eye drops do not, but they must be dosed more frequently and often cause irritation and a bitter taste in the mouth. Chloramphenicol eye ointment does not contain boric acid.
If chloramphenicol is contraindicated, use fusidic acid gel 1% as an alternative.
Do not give antibiotics for a recently developed hordeolum.
If inflammatory signs are present for >2 weeks and there are severe symptoms and no tendency to heal:
- chloramphenicol eye drops 0.5%, 1-2 drops every 2-3 hours for 14 days (not for children < 2 years)
- OR chloramphenicol eye ointment 1%, 2-4 times daily apply a 1 cm strip of ointment to the inner surface of the lower eyelid for 14 days.
The eye ointment causes blurred vision; the eye drops do not, but they must be dosed more frequently and often cause irritation and a bitter taste in the mouth. Chloramphenicol eye ointment does not contain boric acid.
If chloramphenicol is contraindicated, use fusidic acid gel 1% as an alternative.
The maximum duration of treatment is 14 days.