Tetracycline family indications in ophthalmology include which of the following?

• A. Meibomian gland dysfunction and acne rosacea
• B. Chlamydial conjunctivitis
• C. Corneal ulcers
• D. Glaucoma

Answer: (B)

Tetracyclines in ophthalmology are valued for two main roles: treating intracellular infections and reducing lid inflammation. The classic infectious indication is chlamydial conjunctivitis because Chlamydia trachomatis lives inside host cells, and systemic doxycycline (or other tetracyclines) effectively inhibits its protein synthesis, making it a standard therapy for adult inclusion conjunctivitis. While these drugs can also help with meibomian gland dysfunction and acne rosacea due to anti-inflammatory effects and gland penetration, the infection-related indication highlighted here is chlamydial conjunctivitis. Corneal ulcers require targeted topical antibiotics for keratitis pathogens, and glaucoma is not an infection and is managed with intraocular pressure–lowering therapies, not tetracyclines.