Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Ophthalmology: Making Antimicrobial Resistance Visible.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is increasingly recognized in veterinary ophthalmology, yet its development remains largely unnoticed in daily clinical practice. Although resistant ocular pathogens are reported worldwide, antimicrobial prescribing decisions are frequently made without feedback on local resistance patterns. This Viewpoint discusses aggregated antibiograms as a practical tool to improve situational awareness and support antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary ophthalmology. While antibiograms do not quantify reductions in antimicrobial resistance, their systematic use can provide contextual information that may help inform empirical treatment decisions and encourage reflection on routine prescribing. Using perioperative antibiotic use in cataract surgery as an example, we highlight how routine ophthalmic practices may benefit from re-evaluation based on accumulated data. Making resistance patterns visible through aggregated antibiograms is a feasible, immediately actionable step toward more responsible antimicrobial use, with relevance to clinical and One Health considerations.