Medicinal Plants: Basic Aspects of an Emerging Therapeutic Alternative to Control Bacterial Eye Infections

Abstract

Bacteria are the main pathogens related to infections that affect the structures of the eye intra-or extraocularly; the genus Staphylococcus is the most prevalent group associated with this type of infection. Antibiotics such as oxacillin and methicillin are used to control eye infections, which in many cases lead to bacterial resistance. In addition, the high cost of medicines, which in Colombia reaches amounts three or four times higher than in other countries, constitute disadvantages for their use. This has led to study the antimicrobial activity of plants regarding microorganisms associated with bacterial ocular infections. The purpose of this review article is to identify the potential benefits of plants or their products for the control of these infections as an alternative for their treatment.