Optic Atrophy Induced by Chloramphenicol.

CHLORAMPHENICOL is an antibiotic that is used mainly for treating diseases caused by bacteria which are not sensitive to other, less toxic, antibiotics. Some of these diseases entail prolonged courses of treatment and the drug has to be administered for months or even years; the commonest diseases requiring prolonged treatment are subacute bacterial endocarditis, pyelonephritis, and fibrocystic disease of the pancreas. Haematological investigations are carried out periodically because of the danger of agranulocytosis and aplastic anaemia. A number of reports has now been received of optic neuritis occurring during chloramphenicol therapy. A further case is described below.