Comparative study of the efficacy of different treatment options in patients with chronic blepharitis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 3 treatment options in patients with chronic blepharitis. METHODOLOGY: An experimental, randomized, controlled study was conducted on 45 patients (female 67%; Mean age 40.5 years) diagnosed with chronic blepharitis, in order to compare the effectiveness of three treatment options. Group 1 eyelid hygiene with neutral shampoo three times/day; group 2 neutral shampoo eyelid hygiene plus topical metronidazole gel 0.75% twice/day; group 3 neutral eyelid hygiene with shampoo plus neomycin 3.5% and polymyxin 10% antibiotic ointment with 0.5% dexamethasone 3 times/day. The symptoms and signs were assessed by assigning scores from 0 no symptoms and/or signs; 1 mild symptoms and/or signs, 2 moderate symptoms and/or signs; and 3 severe symptoms and/or signs. RESULTS: A significant improvement was observed in the signs and symptoms in all 3 treatment groups. While groups 1 and 2 had more improvement in all variables studied (P<.05), Group 3 showed no clinical improvement for itching (P=.16), dry eye (P=.29), eyelashes falling (P=.16), and erythema at the eyelid margin (P=.29). CONCLUSIONS: Shampoo eyelid hygiene neutral and neutral shampoo combined with the use of metronidazole gel reported better hygiene results than neutral shampoo lid with antibiotic ointment and neomycin and polymyxin dexamethasone.