What is the primary benefit of using an ointment over eye drops?

Using an ointment over eye drops offers the primary benefit of longer contact time with the eye. Ointments have a viscous consistency that allows them to adhere to the ocular surface more effectively than liquid drops. This attribute means that the medication remains in contact with the eye for an extended period, which can enhance the therapeutic effect by allowing for prolonged drug absorption.

Unlike eye drops, which may wash away quickly due to tear production and blinking, ointments can create a barrier that helps minimize the rate at which the medication is expelled from the eye. Therefore, for conditions requiring sustained medication delivery or when a longer duration of effect is desired, ointments can be particularly advantageous.

The other options do not capture the main advantage of ointments. For instance, although ointments may offer some benefits regarding contamination control and patient compliance, these factors can be less significant compared to the effectiveness of medication delivery over time.