Toba DM is an antibiotic and corticosteroid. It is used to treat eye infections caused by a wide spectrum of bacterial. It reduces eye inflammation due to:

• Uveitis
• Keratitis
• Syphilitic Uveitis

• Visual defects/ disturbances
• Chemical burn
• Surgery
• Radiation
• Certain other conditions

• Eye styes
• Bacterial conjunctivitis

Toba DM contains a combination of dexamethasone and tobramycin that helps reduces swelling, itching, and eye redness. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation while Tobramycin is an antibiotic that prevents bacteria from causing infections.

Eye inflammation happens as a result of trauma during eye surgery, medications, infections, and inflammatory disorder that affects other parts of the body. It is caused by a substance that widens the blood vessels resulting in swelling, pain, and redness. Dexamethasone reduces inflammation by acting within the cells to decrease the release of a substance that causes inflammation, pain, and redness.

Tobramycin belongs to the aminoglycosides group of antibiotics. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infections. Tobramycin affects the production of certain proteins needed by the bacteria to survive. Without the protein, bacterial will not be able to grow, reproduce, and cause infections.

When and How to Use Toba DM

Toba DM should only be used in the affected eye in the duration and dose advised by your doctor. Always shake the container just before applying the eye drops.

To use:

• Before using Toba DM, make sure that your hands are clean.
• Tilt your head back and press your finger on the skin beneath the lower lid gently. Pull the lower eyelid to make space.

• Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into space. Use only the number of drops as instructed by your doctor. The recommended number of drops on the infected area is 1 to 2 drops every four to six hours.
• Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes.

Your doctor may instruct you to use the drops more frequently (at least every two hours) during the first few days of your treatment. There is no need for you to wake up during the night to have your eye drop. As your eyes get better, you will have to space the doses. Use the drop for 14 days or as instructed by your doctor but do not use it for more than 24 days. Use Toba DM exactly as directed. Follow all the directions on the prescription label.

Do not use Toba DM while wearing contact lenses because the preservatives in the medicine could permanently cause a stain to your lenses. You have to wait for at least 15 minutes after using the eye drop before you put your contact lenses back. When using the drop, do not touch the tip of the dropper to avoid contamination.

Possible Side Effects of Toba DM

The following are some of the common side effects of Toba DM:

• Eye redness
• Itching
• Irritation
• Eye discomfort

• Sensitivity to light
• Eye swelling
• Blurred vision
• Minor eye burning or stinging

Seek medical help if the following side effects persist:

• Severe eye redness, swelling, and itching
• Tunnel vision. Blurred vision, seeing halos around lights
• Signs of eye infection like drainage, crusting, and severe eye discomfort
• Pain behind your eyes
• A sudden change of vision
• Slow healing after eye surgery

Get emergency help right away in case of allergic reactions with signs like:

• Swelling of the application area
• Swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat
• Difficulty breathing

What should I know before taking Toba DM?

• The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Before using Toba DM make sure to tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Cataract or you need cataract surgery
• Glaucoma
• Herpes infection of the eyes
• Do not use if:

• You have fungal or viral eye infections
• You have an eye condition that is producing pus
• Tuberculosis that affects the eye
• Toba DM may cause temporary mild itching, burning, or redness at the application site. If you will experience a more severe reaction, contact your doctor.

• If your condition has not been improved after several days of treatment inform your doctor.
• Do not cover the area with an airtight dressing like bandages unless directed by your doctor.
• This medicine may be absorbed into the bloodstream after application into the affected eye. Hence, it is not suitable for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult with your doctor first before using Toba DM.  Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Getting the Best Result from Toba DM

• Since it contains a steroid, use this bacterial eye drops in a lower dose.

• This eye drop is sterile until opened. It contains a preservative that helps keep it sterile when in use. It will remain sterile for at least four weeks. Any drops that remain after four weeks should be discarded, as, after four weeks, it may be contaminated with germs that could cause eye infections.
• Toba DM is an eye drop used for bacterial infections that affect the eye. It must not be taken by mouth.
• Do not use Toba DM for longer than the required time of treatment. Prolonged use of steroids in the eye may lead to an increase in eye pressure, glaucoma, and damage to the optic nerve.
• Your doctor will have to regularly check your eye to determine the pressure inside the eyes and to check the drop does not cause unwanted effects.
• Certain medications should not be used at around the same time you use the drop as interaction may occur. Your doctor must be aware of what medications you are taking including those bought without prescriptions like vitamins, herbal, and nutritional supplements.