Key takeaways
Polysporin (bacitracin/polymyxin B) and bacitracin eye ointment are both antibiotics used to prevent or treat bacterial infections, but they have some important differences. Polysporin is a topical antibiotic ointment used to prevent bacterial skin infections from minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It combines two antibiotics, bacitracin and polymyxin B, and is available over the counter. In contrast, bacitracin eye ointment is used to treat bacterial infections in the eye and requires a prescription. It contains only bacitracin and requires a prescription. Polysporin is applied to the skin, while bacitracin eye ointment is applied directly to the eye. Polysporin is generally well-tolerated with few side effects, but it can cause skin rash or itching. Bacitracin eye ointment can cause blurry vision temporarily and may be messy to use. Both medications can rarely cause allergic reactions.
