A DAMAGING ERROR IN AUSTRALIAN DRINKING DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

SIR: The Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis reported' repeats an oft-told tale of the danqer" of corticosteroids when used in the conjunctival sac. The forklift driver, having been hit in the eye by a small wooden splinter, was examined by a local practitioner who apparently found no ocular damage, but, unwisely, prescribed prednisolone eye drops. Correct treatment would have been Terramycin oculentum, containing oxytetracycline and polymyxin B. No harm would have been done and the growth of Pseudomonas organisms would probably have been prevented. In the circumstances described, prednisolone eye drops have no therapeutic value, but always have the inherent danqer" a of masking or precipitating infection. One hopes that the man involved was told the facts and that he received adequate compensation for his unpleasant iatrogenic illness and apparent partial loss of vision.