Effects of topical application of ibudilast for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in patients wearing soft contact lenses.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of topical application of ibudilast for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in patients wearing soft contact lenses (SCLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 16 SCL wearers (32 eyes) with allergic conjunctivitis due to cedar pollen, who were studied from February to April 2007. Before enrollment, informed consent to participation in this study was obtained from all subjects. A frequent replacement SCL (2 Week Pure) was worn for 2 weeks, and ibudilast was applied topically four times daily during this period. The severity of allergic symptoms and the severity of SCL-related symptoms were assessed by scoring using two questionnaires, and before and after topical application of ibudilast results were compared. The severity of objective ocular findings was also scored and compared in the same way. After the final examination, the SCLs were collected and immersed in physiologic saline. Then morphologic changes and drug adsorption were investigated. RESULTS: Among the allergic symptoms, itching and a dry sensation improved after topical application of ibudilast ophthalmic solution (both P<0.05). Phlyctenular conjunctivitis was noted in one eye after topical application, but there were no significant differences of SCL-related symptoms and objective ocular findings between before and after application. There were also no morphologic changes of the contact lenses, and the ibudilast concentration in the lenses was below the detection limit. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that topical application of ibudilast while using 2 Week Pure lenses can improve subjective symptoms without influencing drug adsorption or lens morphology.