The Ocular Chloramphenicol Story

Chloramphenicol eye drops and ointment are the most used ocular antibiotic worldwide. Chloramphenicol was discovered in 1947 and was only the third antibiotic to successfully be produced and only the first antibiotic suitable for large-scale commercial production. By the 1950s, the drug had been developed into drop and ointment forms. The broad spectrum of anti-bacterial activity of Chloramphenicol led to widespread use. Ocular Chloramphenicol remains an important weapon in the ophthalmic armamentarium despite emergence of evidence of possible side effects in the 1970s. This is a short review of the remarkable story of the discovery, development and tribulations of ocular Chloramphenicol.