What Is Eyemycin? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Eyemycin is the brand name for erythromycin ophthalmic ointment 0.5% — a prescription antibiotic applied directly to the eye to treat and prevent bacterial infections. While the Eyemycin brand itself has been discontinued, its generic equivalent remains medically important, particularly as the only FDA-approved ointment for preventing a serious eye infection in newborns.

What Is Eyemycin Used For?

Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment has two FDA-approved uses:

Treatment of superficial ocular infections — bacterial infections affecting the conjunctiva (the clear membrane over the white of the eye) or the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye). This includes bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye), keratitis (corneal infection), and blepharitis (eyelid infection).

Prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum — preventing a potentially blinding eye infection in newborns caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea) and Chlamydia trachomatis. This is applied once to both eyes immediately after delivery and is required by law in most U.S. states.

Off-label uses include treating blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), though growing resistance has reduced its utility for these conditions.

What Type of Drug Is Eyemycin?

Erythromycin belongs to the macrolide class of antibiotics. Macrolides are widely used for treating bacterial infections throughout the body — the same class includes azithromycin (Z-Pak) and clarithromycin. The ophthalmic formulation contains erythromycin base at a concentration of 0.5% (5 mg per gram) in a sterile base of mineral oil and white petrolatum.

Erythromycin is not a controlled substance and requires a prescription but has no DEA schedule restrictions.

How Do You Use Eyemycin? Step-by-Step Instructions

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling the tube.

Tilt your head back slightly and use one finger to pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket.

Hold the ointment tube with the tip pointing toward the eye pocket. Look up and away from the tip.

Squeeze a ribbon of ointment approximately 1 cm (about one-third of an inch) long into the lower eyelid pocket. Do not touch the tip of the tube to your eye, eyelid, or fingers.

Gently blink and keep your eye closed for 1–2 minutes to allow the ointment to spread over the eye surface.

Use a clean tissue to wipe any excess ointment from your eyelashes.

Close the tube tightly after each use. Wash your hands again.

Eyemycin Dosage

The dosage varies by indication:

Superficial ocular infections (adults and children): Apply approximately 1 cm of ointment into the infected eye(s) up to 6 times daily, depending on the severity of the infection. Typical treatment courses run 5–10 days.

Neonatal prophylaxis: A single application of 1 cm into each lower conjunctival sac shortly after birth. Do not flush the eye after instillation. Use a new tube for each infant.

What Bacteria Does Eyemycin Treat?

Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is effective against many gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, and most strains of Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains). It also covers some gram-negative organisms including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Important note: Due to widespread systemic use of erythromycin for decades, resistance — especially among Staphylococcal species — has become significant. Some studies report resistance rates as high as 70% among ocular Staph isolates. Erythromycin will

not treat viral or fungal eye infections.

How to Store Eyemycin

Store erythromycin ophthalmic ointment between 59°F and 77°F (15°C to 25°C). Avoid excessive heat and direct sunlight. Do not freeze. Keep the tube tightly closed when not in use and out of reach of children.

If you need to fill a prescription for erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, use medfinder to find which pharmacies near you have it in stock. To learn more about how this medication works in the eye, see our article How Does Eyemycin Work?.