Continuous infusion of the conjunctival sac with chloramphenicol in preoperative cataract patients

(1) Administration of a drug solution to the conjunctival sac by means of continuous infusion through a fine-bore silicone elastomer tube has been shown to be a simple and practical method in hospital inpatients. The use of a body-borne clockwork-driven syringe ram allows the patient to be ambulant. (2) The use of continuous infusion reduces the nursing supervision required compared with repeated administration of drops. (3) Further work will be needed to established the optimum concentration of chloramphenicol needed to equal that achieved by repeated instillations. (4) The flow rate of the infusion producing no overflow, particularly in elderly patients, is likely to be less than 0-01 ml/min.