Final answer:
Topical antiseptics and antibiotics are used in ophthalmology to treat infections and as postoperative prophylaxis. Erythromycin ointment is commonly applied to newborns to prevent eye infections, and infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis require intensive treatment. Pseudomonas spp. can be treated with specific antibiotics and silver has antiseptic uses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Topical antiseptics and antibiotics are frequently used in ophthalmology to treat external ocular infections and to provide prophylaxis against postoperative infections. For neonates, erythromycin ointment is commonly applied to prevent eye infections such as gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, which can be acquired during vaginal delivery and cause serious complications, including vision loss or blindness if not treated promptly. Treatment of infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis involves intensive therapy with antiseptics like polyhexamethylene biguanide and chlorhexidine, with some cases requiring a corneal transplant.
Pseudomonas spp. is known for antibiotic resistance, but they can be treated with polymyxin B, gentamicin, or some fluoroquinolones. Silver has also been used historically as an antiseptic and can be incorporated into catheters and bandages to enhance their antimicrobial properties, although there is a consideration that heavy metals may contribute to antibiotic resistance. For more generalized bacterial eye infections, prompt treatment with the appropriate antibiotics can often prevent permanent damage.