Hydrocortisone concentration influences time to clinically significant healing of acute inflammation of the ocular surface and adnexa - results from a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of topical ophthalmic corticosteroids depends upon small modifications in preparations, such as drug concentration.The aim of this study was to confirm that hydrocortisone acetate (HC-ac) ophthalmic ointments of 2.5% and 1% are more effective than a 0.5% eye ointment. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical study, the change of signs and symptoms of acute inflammation of the ocular surface and adnexa was evaluated in 411 subjects. RESULTS: Median time to clinically relevant response as estimated by 50% reduction in clinical signs and symptoms (CSS) total score over the entire trial was similar for subjects treated with HC-ac 2.5% (73.5 h) and for subjects treated with HC-ac 1.0% (67.7 h) and was considerably and significantly longer for subjects treated with HC-ac 0.5% (111.8 h) [p < 0.001 for both dosages]. All trial medications were safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Hydrocortisone acetate 2.5% and Hydrocortisone acetate 1% eye ointments are efficacious and safe treatments for acute inflammations of the ocular surface or adnexa, and showed significantly better efficacy than a control group treated with Hydrocortisone acetate 0.5% therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN15464650.

Successful treatment of blepharitis with bibrocathol (Posiformin® 2 %).

BACKGROUND: Bibrocathol is a well-established antiseptic drug for the treatment of acute eyelid diseases like blepharitis. Despite its frequent use in clinical practice, no controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of bibrocathol 2% eye ointment has been performed until now. The aim of the study was to investigate efficacy, safety and tolerability of bibrocathol (Posiformin® 2 %) eye ointment in patients diagnosed with blepharitis. METHODS: In this multi-center, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled parallel-group comparison, the change of signs and symptoms (sum score) of blepharitis in 197 patients (ITT (intention-to-treat-group); mean age 56 ± 18 years, 56 % female, active drug:vehicle = 97:100) over 2 weeks treatment with bibrocathol 2 % eye ointment was evaluated. RESULTS: Patients receiving bibrocathol 2 % showed greater improvement in the sum score than the placebo patients (p < 0.0001, Cohen's effect size d = 0.73). Also, the results from further efficacy assessments improvement of single symptoms and ocular discomfort measured by a VAS (visual analogue scale) supported treatment with bibrocathol. Patients and investigators provided favorable tolerability ratings preferring bibrocathol over placebo. No safety issues were observed with regard to intraocular pressure, visual acuity, or occurrence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Blepharitis therapy with the antiseptic bibrocathol 2 % in this trial was highly efficacious and safe.