Topical antibiotics are effective, say those who Rx them for blepharitis

In a poll fielded on the Optometry Times website, we asked ODs, if they prescribed topical antibiotics for blepharitis, their top reason for doing so.

View the poll here

A total of 181 responses were tallied. The multiple-choice poll answers included:

• Antibiotics are effective therapy

• Patient needs an Rx so she “knows” she was treated

• Other treatment options have failed

• It’s the next step in my treatment protocol

• I don’t prescribe topical antibiotics for blepharitis

Related: 4 steps to beating blepharitis

Some 29 percent of respondents said they don’t prescribe topical antibiotics for blepharitis.

Following closely behind, 27 percent of respondents answered that topical antibiotics are effective therapy and that topical antibiotics are the next step in their treatment protocol.

Related: Pros and cons of available MGD treatments

Coming up next, 14 percent of respondents said they prescribe topical antibiotics for blepharitis because other treatment options have failed.

A steep drop to last place, only 3 percent of respondents say they prescribe topical antibiotics because the patient needs an Rx so she “knows” she was treated.

Related: ODs look to lid scrubs first for blepharitis treatment