June 15, 2018 - Nutrition
Hey folks, it’s Dr. Sam and I want to pose a question to you today. Do you think we should be liberally applying antibiotic ointments into the eyes of newborns? This is a common medical practice. In fact, it’s actually a law that doctors must put antibiotic ointment into newborns’ eyes to avoid eye infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. It’s interesting that in certain countries, like Australia, Belgium, and the Scandinavian countries, they’ve stopped doing this practice.
As I’ve spoken about before, the overuse of antibiotics in the U.S. raises some significant health concerns. While antibiotics are definitely useful in certain situations, we should look to reduce the unnecessary use of probiotics.
The question I’d like to raise is, how does this practice affect our ocular concerns I have to revolve around their impact on the microbiome. How does this practice affect our ocular microbiomes?
The ocular microbiome is the good bacteria that live in the eye and play a role in boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation and infection. But when antibiotics are introduced, they kill the bad bacteria AND the good bacteria. The research on the ocular microbiome is certainly in its early stages but is certainly a promising area for further research.
Over the years in private practice, I’ve certainly noticed a relationship between long-term use of antibiotics, steroids, or glaucoma medications and redness, pain, or inflammation in the eyes.
So it’s an interesting question to pose. And unfortunately, the research is in its early stages and hasn’t provided us with definitive answers yet. But I will say that by boosting probiotic consumption you may be able to mitigate the negative side effects of antibiotic use. And like I’ve mentioned before, one of the most powerful ways to boost probiotic levels in the body is through breastfeeding.
So thanks so much for tuning in today I really appreciate it. And until next time take good care.