Chloramphenicol is active against a wide range of ocular pathogens, including S. aureus. It is considered the treatment of choice for conjunctivitis.¹

It penetrates well into the aqueous humour of the eye after topical application and has low ocular surface toxicity. Development of resistance is rare.

Chloramphenicol eye drops and eye ointment are licensed for use without prescription for the topical treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children aged two years and over (chloramphenicol eye ointment is not licensed for OTC sale for the treatment of styes).

Dosage

For drops: one drop instilled into the infected eye every two hours for the first 48 hours and four-hourly thereafter, during waking hours only.

For ointment: use at night if drops are used during the day, or three to four times daily if used alone. The course of treatment for drops and ointment is five days, which should be completed even if symptoms improve. Neither the drops nor the ointment should be used for more than five days, and patients should be referred if symptoms do not improve within 48 hours of starting treatment.