The Use of Topical Chloramphenicol for Eye Diseases in the Outpatient Setting

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the outpatient prescribing pattern of ophthalmic chloramphenicol in a public hospital in Alkharj. Methodology: This is a retrospective study that includes reviewing the electronic prescriptions of ophthalmic chloramphenicol among outpatients in a public hospital in Alkharj. Results: During the study period from 1st of January 2018 to the end of June 2018, 168 patients received ophthalmic chloramphenicol. More than 50 % of them were males and the age of 55.95% of them was less than 20 years. More than 46% of the ophthalmic chloramphenicol prescriptions were prescribed for 7 Days and 39.29% were prescribed for 5 days. More than 83% of the prescriptions were prescribed by emergency department. Conclusion: The present study showed that ophthalmic chloramphenicol was uncommonly prescribed in Al-Kharj. Further studies are needed to explore the appropriateness of its prescribing and its use in order to decrease the bacterial resistance and to increase its efficacy.