Ophthalmic Medicines
Fifteen ophthalmic products spanning anti-infective, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and ocular-surface categories — including the two anti-infectives the WHO Model List names for conjunctivitis and infectious keratitis.
The WHO Model List carries two anti-infective eye drops by name: gentamicin 0.3% for infectious blepharitis, and ofloxacin 0.3% for infectious keratitis, with the keratitis listing extended to conjunctivitis in 2021. Amikacin, kanamycin, netilmicin and tobramycin are named as therapeutic alternatives to gentamicin.
At a glance
- Sterile ophthalmic manufacture across 15 products and five therapeutic sub-categories.
- Gentamicin 0.3% and ofloxacin 0.3% are the two anti-infective eye drops named on the WHO Model List.
- WHO has recorded 40+ cases of serious eye injury where chlorhexidine was mistaken for an eye preparation.
- Topical antibiotics are indicated for moderate to severe conjunctivitis and may be considered in mild cases.
- Batch COA includes sterility and preservative-content results for every ophthalmic batch.
01What the published guidance says
Every statement below is drawn from WHO or MSF published material and linked to its source. We summarise; we do not reproduce. Statements marked as our own are commercial positions, not clinical guidance.
Gentamicin eye drops 0.3% are on the Model List for ocular infection
WHO lists gentamicin eye drops 0.3% (gentamicin sulfate) for infectious blepharitis, classified in the Access group of the AWaRe framework. The Expert Committee has specified amikacin, kanamycin, netilmicin and tobramycin as therapeutic alternatives under the gentamicin square-box listing.
Ofloxacin 0.3% — for keratitis, and extended to conjunctivitis
Ofloxacin eye drops 0.3% are listed for infectious keratitis, and in 2021 the Expert Committee recommended expanding the indication to include conjunctivitis. Topical fluoroquinolones are the class the Committee endorsed for infectious keratitis.
Evidence for conjunctivitis does not favour one antibiotic over another
The Committee noted that topical antibiotics are indicated for moderate to severe infection and can be considered in mild cases, but that available evidence does not make it possible to identify specific, preferred antibiotics for conjunctivitis. It therefore endorsed the existing gentamicin and tetracycline listings rather than picking a winner.
Trachoma and endophthalmitis have separate recommendations
For trachoma the treatment of choice is a single oral dose of azithromycin, with topical azithromycin or tetracycline also indicated. For bacterial endophthalmitis, the listings for ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and vancomycin were extended to cover it as a first-choice option, with the Committee noting that intravitreal administration requires specialist training and adequate infrastructure.
02Products in this therapeutic group
Each entry links to its full specification page.
| Product | Dosage form | Presentation notes | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover 0.6% Trypan Blue Ophthalmic Solution Benefits | Medical Device | View Discover 0.6% Trypan Blue Ophthalmic Solution Benefits → | |
| 0.1% Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops 5ml:5mg | Ophthalmic | View 0.1% Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops 5ml:5mg → | |
| 2% Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops 10ml | Ophthalmic | Anti-Allergic Ophthalmic Solution | View 2% Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops 10ml → |
| 0.5% Ribavirin Eye Drops | Ophthalmic | Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Ophthalmic Solution | View 0.5% Ribavirin Eye Drops → |
| 0.3% Ofloxacin Eye Drops 10ml | Ophthalmic | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Eye Solution | View 0.3% Ofloxacin Eye Drops 10ml → |
| Neomycin Sulfate Eye Drops 40000IU/mL 10mL | Ophthalmic | Aminoglycoside Ophthalmic Antibiotic | View Neomycin Sulfate Eye Drops 40000IU/mL 10mL → |
| 0.5% Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Eye Drops 10mL | Ophthalmic | View 0.5% Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Eye Drops 10mL → | |
| Effective 2.5% Lincomycin Hydrochloride Eye Drops | Ophthalmic | View Effective 2.5% Lincomycin Hydrochloride Eye Drops → | |
| 0.5% Kanamycin Eye Drops 10mL | Ophthalmic | Aminoglycoside Ocular Antibacterial Solution | View 0.5% Kanamycin Eye Drops 10mL → |
| 0.5% Hypromellose Eye Drops 10mL | Ophthalmic | View 0.5% Hypromellose Eye Drops 10mL → | |
| 0.3% Gentamicin Eye Drops 10mL | Ophthalmic | View 0.3% Gentamicin Eye Drops 10mL → | |
| 0.5% Chloramphenicol Eye Drops 10mL | Ophthalmic | View 0.5% Chloramphenicol Eye Drops 10mL → | |
| 1% Acyclovir Eye Drops 10mL | Ophthalmic | View 1% Acyclovir Eye Drops 10mL → | |
| 5% Taurine Eye Drops 10mL | Ophthalmic | View 5% Taurine Eye Drops 10mL → | |
| 0.1% Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Eye Drops 10mL | Ophthalmic | View 0.1% Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Eye Drops 10mL → |
15 products in this group · part of 186 finished dosage forms across 14 therapeutic areas.
03Specifying your order
The five things worth stating on a purchase order for this group, so the quotation comes back right first time.
Fill volume
State 5 mL or 10 mL, and whether a single-dose or multi-dose container is required.
Preservative system
Confirm whether a preserved or preservative-free presentation is needed; this changes the container and the in-use period.
Container design
If you distribute chlorhexidine alongside ophthalmic products, specify a container shape and colour that cannot be confused with an eye drop.
Registered indication
Tell us the indication registered in your market, since national approvals do not always mirror the WHO listing.
In-use stability
Specify the in-use period after opening that your label must declare, so we can supply matching stability data.
04How we supply it
Standardised GMP production workshops with an independent R&D laboratory and a complete quality-inspection centre.
Anti-infective range
Fluoroquinolone (ofloxacin, moxifloxacin), aminoglycoside (gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin), chloramphenicol, lincomycin and antiviral (acyclovir, ribavirin) eye drops.
Surface and comfort
Hypromellose and sodium hyaluronate lubricants, taurine, and sodium cromoglicate for allergic conjunctivitis.
Surgical and diagnostic
Trypan blue ophthalmic solution for capsule staining, and dexamethasone sodium phosphate for post-operative inflammation.
Sterility assurance
Ophthalmic products are supplied with sterility and preservative-content data on the batch COA, with stability data for the declared in-use period.
05Safety, labelling & regulatory notes
Points worth carrying into your tender, label review or clinical briefing.
- Ophthalmic preparations must be sterile. Confirm the batch sterility result and the preservative system on the COA before release to the market.
- Never allow a chlorhexidine product to be confused with an eye drop — WHO has recorded more than 40 cases of serious eye injury, including blindness, from exactly this error. If you distribute both, enforce distinct labelling and container design.
- Antibiotics are not indicated for viral conjunctivitis. Promotional material should reflect the WHO position that topical antibiotics are for moderate to severe infection and may be considered in mild cases.
- Confirm the registered indications for each product in your market; national approvals do not always mirror the Model List.
06Questions buyers ask
6 answers covering specification, documentation and regulatory questions for this group.
Which ophthalmic anti-infectives are on the WHO Model List?
Do you supply preservative-free eye drops?
Can you supply trypan blue for cataract surgery?
What documentation accompanies an ophthalmic order?
Do you supply single-dose preservative-free eye drops?
Which ophthalmic fluoroquinolones do you supply?
07Related therapeutic areas
Adjacent groups you may want to combine on one purchase order.
Request a quotation for Ophthalmic
Send us the products, strengths and pack sizes you need, together with the destination country, and we will return a quotation with the documentation package and lead time. Registration support documents are provided with every order.
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