17/05/2025
Alert! - before Lasik, cataract surgery and other conditions requiring antibiotic eye drops know this:
Researchers looked at how two common antibiotics - ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone (FQ)) and tetracyclines, affect the energy centers (mitochondria) in human retinal cells.
Using lab-grown retinal cells (MIO-M1), they found that these drugs may disrupt mitochondrial structure and function, which can impact overall cell health. The antibiotics caused noticeable changes in how the cells responded to stress and damage, specifically in the processes related to cell death (apoptosis) and inflammation.
⚠️ Why it matters:
Any disruption to mitochondrial health can potentially impact the overall function of the retinal cells and, by extension, affect vision.
Reported symptoms from the floxed community after an FQ antibiotic eyedrop/pill:
Eye focus issues
Severe dry eyes (Xerophthalmia)
Light sensitivity (Photophobia)
Floaters (appearance of thickening of vitreous body of the eye)
Visual acuity decrease (Scotoma, etc.)
Double vision (Diplopia)
Black specks
Drooping eyelids (Ptosis)
Retinal tears
Inability to process all visual input
Seeing halos around light, especially at night
Vision loss
Eye movement disorder / blurred vision / false localization / double vision / focusing problems
[Possible causes: trochlear nerve palsy, oculomotor nerve palsy, combination gaze paralysis, eye nerve inflammation, eye muscle and ligament weakness]
Eye flashes (photopsias, phosphenes, teichopsias)
[Possible cause: posterior vitreous detachment – PVD]
Appearance of dark dots in the field of vision
[Possible cause: retinal detachment]
Many in the floxed community who’ve suffered serious eye issues after using FQ eye drops have encountered a troubling lack of awareness among doctors about these risks. Your eyes are irreplaceable, always ask questions before filling a prescription, and consider whether a safer alternative exists. See our list of FQ eyedrops so you know what to look out for at that next appointment: https://fq100.org/drug-list
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Fluoroquinolone Induced Vision Damages Group: https://facebook.com/groups/750106561713556
Reference:
Effects of fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines on mitochondria of human retinal MIO-M1 cells
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014483521004231
For more publications about FQ's and eye health you may visit our library and look for the heading "Ocular":
https://fq100.org/library-n-z
Support groups: https://fq100.org/find-help
Medical help: https://fq100.org/find-medical
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/Fluoroquinolone-Toxicity-Study-NFP-144478016244899
Disclaimer: Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Study does not provide medical advice, and all articles and written content are intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Supplements, treatments, and pharmaceutical outcomes can vary greatly between individuals.
