What Is Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment?
Chloramphenicol eye ointment is a prescription topical antibiotic used to treat a number of different severe eye infections. The medication is highly effective, but serious allergic reactions and other adverse side effects can occur. Doctors reserve chloramphenicol eye ointment for cases of infection that are not relieved with other less hazardous medications. Most patients who use the ointment regularly experience full relief from their symptoms within one to two weeks. The antibiotic agents in chloramphenicol eye ointment are effective at killing strains of staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli, and several other less common bacteria. It works by infiltrating bacterial cells and disrupting protein synthesis, a necessary process for bacteria to replicate their DNA, reproduce, and spread. Existing bacteria eventually expire, and symptoms of eye irritation, vision blurring, redness, and tearing are relieved.
