FDA approves pink eye treatment

ROCKVILLE, Md. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating a common eye infection.

The agency announced Thursday the approval of Bausch & Lomb’s Besivance (besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension, 0.6%) for treating bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye. The infection, which can occur in people in any age but is most common in children, causes eye irritation, swelling and discharge from the eyes. The drug is not approved for treating viral conjunctivitis.

“Bacterial conjunctivitis is a common condition that affects people of all ages,” FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Division of Anti-Infective and Ophthalmology Products acting director Wiley Chambers said. “It is important to have a variety of treatment options available to healthcare professionals and patients because an effective drug therapy can reduce the duration of the illness and reduce the chances of infecting others.”