Tobramycin eye drops: is it dangerous for fertility?

Egr. Dr. Torino,
I am writing to you because my partner is using tobramycin-based eye drops to treat a sty (he instills it in the eye four times a day until the sty disappears) on the advice of his doctor, and he uses it periodically every time this ophthalmological-dermatological problem makes its reappearance. Unfortunately, I read the following in the drug leaflet:
Fertility: No studies have been carried out to evaluate the effect on human fertility of the topical ocular administration of tobramycin-based eye drops and ophthalmic ointment. Pregnancy: Data from the topical ocular use of tobramycin in pregnant women do not exist or are limited in number.Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity. Tobramycin is not recommended during pregnancy.

What worries me is the ” reproductive toxicity “, even if this has only been detected in animals: could it affect its fertility? He is 40 and I am 37, we have no children, and have been trying to have since the beginning of this year, but I don’t want the use of these eye drops to frustrate our attempts. Thanks in advance for his reply. Best regards.

Dear reader,
as you have already highlighted, there are no scientific studies that have demonstrated alteration of fertility in humans following the administration of trobamycin. However, it is highly unlikely, for reasons related to the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the active principle, that the topical (local) use of trobamycin could create reproductive problems in males.
On the other hand, the situation regarding the use of the drug in pregnant women is different.
In fact, in these cases, as happens for many other drugs, several studies conducted on guinea pigs have shown toxic effects on embryos.

Although you have only been looking for a pregnancy for a few months, my advice is in any case to evaluate the current state of your husband’s fertility by performing a spermiogram, to be repeated after 6 months if necessary.