glaucoma drops are prescription eye drops used to lower eye pressure. They are commonly used to manage glaucoma and ocular hypertension. They work by changing how fluid moves in and out of the eye. They are typically used long term with regular eye exams.

subconjunctival anesthesia is a way to numb the eye by placing a local anesthetic just under the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin, clear tissue that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. It is commonly used for certain eye procedures done on the ocular surface (the front, outer tissues of the eye). It may also be used as an add-on to other anesthesia methods to improve comfort.

lidocaine gel is a local anesthetic in a gel form that temporarily numbs tissue. It is used to reduce pain or discomfort during exams and minor procedures. In eye care, it may be used on or around the eye in selected clinical settings. Its use depends on the specific formulation and the clinician’s preference.

tetracaine is a local anesthetic medication that temporarily numbs tissue. In eye care, it is most commonly used as a topical anesthetic drop to numb the surface of the eye. It helps clinicians perform exams and minor procedures with less discomfort. Its effects are short-acting and intended for supervised clinical use.

proparacaine is a topical anesthetic eye drop that temporarily numbs the surface of the eye. It is used to reduce pain and blinking during eye exams and minor in-office procedures. It works quickly and wears off relatively soon in most people. It is most commonly used in ophthalmology and optometry clinics rather than at home.

A local anesthetic is a medication that temporarily numbs a specific area of the body. In eye care, local anesthetic is commonly used to reduce pain and blinking during exams and procedures. It can be applied as eye drops, gel, or an injection around the eye. It allows many ophthalmology and optometry procedures to be performed while the patient remains awake.

phenylephrine is a medication that stimulates alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. In eye care, it is most commonly used as an eye drop to enlarge the pupil and reduce surface redness. It is also used in other medical settings (such as nasal decongestion) in different formulations. In ophthalmology and optometry, phenylephrine is mainly a diagnostic and peri-procedural tool.

tropicamide is an ophthalmic (eye) medication used to temporarily dilate the pupil. It is commonly used in eye clinics to help clinicians examine the back of the eye. It can also temporarily relax focusing in the eye for certain types of vision testing. Its effects are designed to be reversible and short-acting compared with some related drops.

A mydriatic is a medication that makes the pupil larger (pupil dilation). It is commonly used as eye drops during eye exams and some eye treatments. Dilation helps clinicians see the back of the eye and, in some cases, reduces painful muscle spasm inside the eye.

famciclovir is an antiviral prescription medication used to treat infections caused by certain herpes viruses. It is taken by mouth and works throughout the body rather than being applied directly to the eye. In eye care, it may be used when herpes viruses affect the eyelids, cornea, or tissues around the eye. It is also commonly used outside ophthalmology for shingles and other herpes virus outbreaks.

valacyclovir is an antiviral prescription medicine used to treat infections caused by certain herpes viruses. It is commonly used in general medicine for cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. In eye care, it is often used when herpes-family viruses affect the eyelids, cornea, or other eye tissues. It is taken by mouth and works throughout the body rather than being applied directly to the eye.

acyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat infections caused by certain herpes viruses. In eye care, it is commonly used when herpes viruses affect the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, or deeper eye tissues. It does not “kill” viruses instantly, but it helps limit viral replication so the infection can settle. It is used in both outpatient and hospital settings, depending on severity.

trifluridine is an antiviral medication that is most commonly used as an eye drop. It is mainly used to treat certain eye infections caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). In ophthalmology, it is best known for treating HSV infection of the cornea (herpetic keratitis). It is used under clinician supervision because dosing and monitoring depend on the specific corneal findings.

ganciclovir gel is an antiviral medication applied directly to the eye. It is most commonly used to treat certain viral infections of the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). In everyday terms, it helps reduce viral activity on the eye’s surface so the cornea can heal. It is typically prescribed and monitored by eye care clinicians in outpatient settings.

An **antiviral** is a medication that helps control infections caused by viruses. In eye care, antiviral drugs are used when viruses infect or inflame the **cornea**, **conjunctiva**, **uvea**, or **retina**. They are commonly used for infections related to **herpes viruses** (like HSV and VZV). Some antiviral treatments are topical (eye drops/gel), and others are taken by mouth or given by injection.

amphotericin B (topical) is an antifungal medication used on the surface of the eye. It is most often prepared as an eye-drop formulation for suspected or confirmed fungal eye infections. In eye care, it is commonly discussed in the context of fungal keratitis (a corneal infection). Because commercial ophthalmic products may be limited, it is frequently compounded by specialized pharmacies.

voriconazole (topical) is an antifungal medication prepared for use on the eye surface. It is commonly used as eye drops made by a compounding pharmacy rather than a standard commercial bottle. Its main role in eye care is treating fungal infections of the cornea and surrounding ocular tissues. It is typically used under close ophthalmic monitoring because fungal eye disease can progress quickly.

natamycin is an antifungal medication. In eye care, it is most commonly used as prescription eye drops for certain fungal infections of the cornea. It is also used outside ophthalmology in some food and agricultural settings to help control fungal growth. In clinical practice, it is discussed most often in the context of fungal keratitis (a fungal corneal infection).

An antifungal is a medication that helps treat infections caused by fungi. In eye care, antifungal drugs are used when fungus infects the cornea, inside of the eye, or surrounding tissues. They can be given as eye drops, ointments, injections, or pills, depending on the infection and location. Use and selection vary by clinician and case.

polymyxin B/trimethoprim is a combination antibiotic medication used in eye care. It is most commonly prescribed as an ophthalmic (eye) drop for certain bacterial eye infections. The two antibiotics work in different ways to help reduce or clear susceptible bacteria on the ocular surface. Clinicians may choose it for uncomplicated external eye infections where broad, practical coverage is needed.