Finding a Doctor Who Prescribes Natacyn

If you've been diagnosed with a fungal eye infection — or suspect you have one — you'll likely need Natacyn (Natamycin 5%), the only FDA-approved ophthalmic antifungal suspension in the United States. But getting a prescription isn't as simple as visiting your primary care doctor. Natacyn is a specialty medication typically prescribed by eye care professionals, and knowing where to start can save you valuable time when you're dealing with a painful, sight-threatening infection.

This guide walks you through exactly which doctors prescribe Natacyn, how to find one near you, and what to expect at your appointment.

What Type of Doctor Prescribes Natacyn?

Natacyn is primarily prescribed by:

• Ophthalmologists — Medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who specialize in eye diseases and surgery. Cornea specialists are the most common prescribers of Natacyn, especially for fungal keratitis.
• Optometrists — Doctors of optometry (ODs) who can diagnose and treat many eye conditions. In most states, optometrists can prescribe Natacyn, though severe cases are typically referred to an ophthalmologist.
• Emergency medicine physicians — If you arrive at an ER with a suspected fungal eye infection, the emergency doctor may initiate treatment and refer you to a specialist.

In most cases, you'll want to see a cornea specialist — an ophthalmologist with additional fellowship training in corneal diseases. These doctors have the most experience diagnosing fungal keratitis and managing Natacyn therapy.

How to Find a Provider Near You

1. Use Your Insurance Directory

Start with your health insurance company's online provider directory. Search for "ophthalmology" or "cornea specialist" in your area. This ensures the doctor is in-network, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Since Natacyn often requires prior authorization and may be covered under your medical benefit rather than pharmacy benefit, seeing an in-network ophthalmologist simplifies the process.

2. Search on Zocdoc or Healthgrades

Platforms like Zocdoc, Healthgrades, and WebMD's physician finder let you search by specialty, location, and insurance. Filter for ophthalmologists and look for those who list corneal diseases or infectious disease as a subspecialty. Many allow same-week booking, which matters when you're dealing with an active infection.

3. Ask Your Primary Care Doctor or Optometrist for a Referral

If you already have a relationship with a primary care physician or optometrist, ask for a referral to a cornea specialist. They likely know who in your area has experience treating fungal eye infections. A referral may also be required by your insurance plan before you can see a specialist.

4. Contact a University or Academic Medical Center

Academic ophthalmology departments at university hospitals often have cornea specialists on staff who regularly treat fungal keratitis. These centers are especially useful if you live in a rural area where specialists are scarce — many offer consultation services and can coordinate care.

5. Check With Your Local Hospital

Call your nearest hospital's ophthalmology department and ask if they have a doctor who treats fungal eye infections. Hospital-based practices often have access to Natacyn through their pharmacy, which can be helpful given the medication's limited availability at retail pharmacies.

A Note About Telehealth

Unlike many medications, Natacyn is not well-suited for telehealth prescribing. Diagnosing a fungal eye infection requires a slit-lamp examination and often a corneal culture or scraping. These can only be done in person. If a telehealth provider suspects a fungal eye infection, they'll refer you to an in-person specialist.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

When you see an ophthalmologist for a suspected fungal eye infection, here's what typically happens:

1. Medical history — The doctor will ask about your symptoms, how long you've had them, any recent eye trauma (especially involving plant material or soil), and whether you wear contact lenses.
2. Slit-lamp examination — This microscope lets the doctor examine your cornea in detail and look for characteristic signs of fungal infection, such as feathery borders or satellite lesions.
3. Corneal scraping or culture — The doctor may take a small sample from the infected area to identify the specific fungus causing the infection. Common culprits include Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida species.
4. Treatment plan — If a fungal infection is confirmed or strongly suspected, the doctor will prescribe Natacyn. The typical starting dose is one drop every 1-2 hours during waking hours, which is then reduced to 6-8 times daily after 3-4 days.

Be prepared for frequent follow-up visits. Fungal keratitis is a serious condition that requires close monitoring, and treatment typically lasts 14-21 days or longer.

After You Get Your Prescription

Once you have a Natacyn prescription, filling it can be its own challenge. As a specialty medication with limited distribution, Natacyn isn't always stocked at your neighborhood pharmacy. Here are some tips:

• Ask your doctor's office — Many ophthalmology practices keep Natacyn in their office dispensary or can direct you to a pharmacy that stocks it.
• Try specialty pharmacies — These are more likely to carry niche medications like Natacyn than chain retail pharmacies.
• Use Medfinder — Medfinder can help you locate pharmacies that have Natacyn in stock near you, saving you the frustration of calling around.
• Check pricing — Without insurance, Natacyn costs approximately $400-$700 per 15 mL bottle. Explore savings options before filling your prescription.

Final Thoughts

Finding a doctor who can prescribe Natacyn comes down to connecting with the right specialist — usually a cornea-trained ophthalmologist. Start with your insurance directory or a referral from your current eye doctor, and don't hesitate to reach out to academic medical centers if local options are limited.

Fungal eye infections are time-sensitive. The sooner you get in front of the right doctor and start treatment, the better your outcome. If you're struggling to find Natacyn after getting your prescription, Medfinder can help you track it down.