US Patent 7906498 Cholesterol as an antibiotic for

Topical application of cholesterol has been found to be effective in preventing, treating or ameliorating the damage to the cornea caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Topical administration of cholesterol caused a significant decrease in the inflammation of the eye. In addition, cholesterol was surprisingly found to be a bactericide to Streptococcus pneumoniae outside the cornea. The effect of cholesterol can be enhanced by further administering a steroid or an antibiotic to the cornea.