The graph below summarizes the findings of the study. The combination of injecting and feeding an antibiotic cured most cases quickly and kept the number of new cases to a minimum. Eye injections cured many cases but new cases followed the treatment of cases. The following are principles of pinkeye treatment that are supported by research evidence from this study and others. Oxytetracycline is effective in treating and preventing pinkeye when injected and fed at high levels.
Treatment can be effective in bringing about earlier cures and preventing further eye damage.
Early treatment is key to success. When an outbreak occurs, injecting long-acting tetracycline will stop the spread of the disease. One way to define an outbreak is when 5 to 10 percent of a group is affected. Because face flies both carry the bacteria that causes pinkeye from one animal to another and irritate the eye, their control is crucial once pinkeye cases begin. Spraying cattle with a knockdown spray will prevent new cases of pinkeye.