Ophthalmology
Chloramphenicol eye drops
Antibiotic drops/ointment for the eye — The usual first-line treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language class overview — it deliberately contains no doses. Always check the current Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), the BNF and your local formulary before prescribing or administering any medicine.
Quick answer
What is Chloramphenicol eye drops?
Chloramphenicol eye preparations are antibiotics used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis and some other eye infections. They come as drops and as an ointment and are widely available.
- How it works: Applied to the eye, the antibiotic stops bacteria multiplying on the surface of the eye, helping clear the infection and settle the redness and discharge.
- In practice: In practice chloramphenicol is the everyday first-line antibiotic for bacterial conjunctivitis (a sticky, red eye), available as drops and as a night-time ointment, and it can be bought from pharmacies for adults and older children as well as prescribed.
What it is
Chloramphenicol eye preparations are antibiotics used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis and some other eye infections. They come as drops and as an ointment and are widely available.
How it works
Applied to the eye, the antibiotic stops bacteria multiplying on the surface of the eye, helping clear the infection and settle the redness and discharge.
In practice
In practice chloramphenicol is the everyday first-line antibiotic for bacterial conjunctivitis (a sticky, red eye), available as drops and as a night-time ointment, and it can be bought from pharmacies for adults and older children as well as prescribed. Most cases of conjunctivitis are viral or self-limiting, so it is used where bacterial infection is likely or symptoms are troublesome, and good hand and towel hygiene matters to prevent spread. The practical points are storage and use: the drops are kept in the fridge, contact lenses are not worn during treatment, and a short course is completed. Mild stinging is common. Red-flag features — significant pain, marked redness, light sensitivity or reduced vision, a newborn with a sticky eye, or a contact-lens wearer with a painful red eye — need urgent assessment rather than over-the-counter treatment.
Examples
Practical use
How to take it & use it well
- Wash your hands before and after use, then apply the drops or ointment into the affected eye as directed, taking care not to touch the eye or lashes with the nozzle.
- For adults and older children, drops are commonly used several times a day at first, then less often as the infection settles - follow the pack or your pharmacist's advice.
- Keep the drops in the fridge as instructed, and do not use them beyond the short period after opening stated on the pack.
- Do not wear contact lenses during treatment, and avoid sharing towels, flannels or pillows to prevent spreading the infection.
- If you miss a dose, use it when you remember and carry on as before; finish the recommended course even if the eye looks better.
Common uses
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Some other superficial eye infections
- Prevention after minor eye injury/foreign body (as advised)
Monitoring
- Symptom improvement over a few days
- Red-flag features needing review
- Correct storage and completion of the course
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- It is an effective first-line antibiotic for bacterial conjunctivitis and is available over the counter for adults and older children.
- It is easy to use at home as drops or ointment.
- It is inexpensive and widely available from pharmacies.
- Most courses are short, clearing bacterial infection within days.
Disadvantages
- Most conjunctivitis is actually viral and self-limiting, so antibiotic drops are often not needed.
- They can cause temporary stinging or blurring when first applied.
- They must be kept refrigerated and discarded soon after opening.
- They are not suitable for everyone, including very young babies and contact-lens wearers with a painful red eye, who need proper assessment.
Key safety principles
What to watch for
- Most conjunctivitis is viral/self-limiting — antibiotic is for likely bacterial infection or troublesome symptoms.
- Do not wear contact lenses during treatment; use good hand/towel hygiene to avoid spreading it.
- Seek urgent care for significant pain, light sensitivity, reduced vision, a newborn with a sticky eye, or a contact-lens wearer with a painful red eye.
Key interactions
What to avoid or check alongside
- Avoid contact lenses during treatment, as they can trap the medicine and worsen irritation.
- Using more than one eye preparation means leaving a gap between them, applying ointments last.
- It has few important interactions with other medicines, but tell a pharmacist about other eye treatments you use.
- Sharing towels or eye make-up can spread infection, so avoid this during treatment.
Patient & carer advice
- Keep the drops in the fridge and complete the short course
- Do not wear contact lenses while treating the eye, and do not share towels
- Some stinging is normal; see us if it worsens, vision changes or the eye becomes painful
Answers
Chloramphenicol eye drops: frequently asked questions
Do I always need antibiotic drops for a red, sticky eye?
Often not - most conjunctivitis is viral and clears on its own with good hygiene and time. Chloramphenicol is mainly useful when the cause is bacterial.
Why do the drops need to be kept in the fridge?
Refrigeration keeps the drops stable and effective. Follow the storage advice on the pack and discard them within the short period after opening that it states.
Can I wear my contact lenses during treatment?
No. Stop wearing contact lenses while you have the infection and during treatment, as lenses can trap medicine and worsen irritation. Your optician can advise when it is safe to restart.
When should I seek urgent help rather than treat at home?
Seek urgent care for eye pain, sensitivity to light, reduced vision, a newborn baby with a sticky or red eye, or a contact-lens wearer with a painful red eye. These can signal something more serious.
How do I stop spreading conjunctivitis to others?
Wash your hands often, do not share towels, flannels, pillows or eye make-up, and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. Good hygiene limits spread to family and others.
Authoritative sources
Always verify against the source
This overview is for orientation. For doses, interactions, contra-indications and the full monograph, use:
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