Fleischer A B, Hoover D L, Khan J A, Parisi J T, Burns R P
Am J Ophthalmol. 1986 Mar 15;101(3):283-7. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(86)90820-2.
We successfully treated two patients with severe Staphylococcus epidermidis blepharoconjunctivitis by means of a topical vancomycin hydrochloride solution (50 mg/ml) prepared with sterile water. Aqueous vancomycin preparations, however, cause significant ocular irritation probably because of low pH and osmolality values. Solutions prepared with normal saline (5 mg/ml) and phosphate-buffered artificial tears (5 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml) were significantly less irritating and possessed equivalent in vitro antimicrobial activity. Topical vancomycin should be used only when commercially available antibiotics are inadequate.
