Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat superficial eye infections, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, which is essential for bacterial growth and replication. Specifically, chloramphenicol binds to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, blocking the activity of peptidyl transferase, an enzyme crucial for forming peptide bonds during protein synthesis. This inhibition halts the growth of bacteria, exhibiting a bacteriostatic effect, and in high concentrations or against susceptible organisms, it can be bactericidal.

Chloramphenicol is available in eye drops and ointment forms. Eye drops are typically applied every two hours for the first two days and then every four hours. For more severe infections, eye ointment may be used at bedtime. It effectively reduces symptoms such as redness, swelling, and discharge, with improvement usually seen within two days.