title: Tobramycin in ophthalmology.
abstract: Selman Waksman's laboratory at Rutgers University discovered the first aminoglycoside antibiotic, streptomycin, in 1943. Other aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin and tobramycin, soon followed. Tobramycin is compatible with most intravenous fluids and tear substitutes, but it is incompatible with heparin and some beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins. Due to tobramycin's broad spectrum of activity, it has proven useful in controlling both superficial and deep infections of the eye and ocular adnexa (i.e., blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and endophthalmitis). However, since tobramycin has been associated with neuromuscular blockade, as well as possessing ototoxic and nephrotoxic effects, care must be taken to minimize toxicity by monitoring patients undergoing systemic tobramycin therapy.
authors.affiliation: Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Wilhelmus
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Osato
mesh_terms: D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods*; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014031:Tobramycin