title: Efficacy and safety of mercuric oxide in the treatment of bacterial blepharitis.
abstract: A double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized study was done to assess the safety and clinical and quantitative microbiologic efficacy of 1% mercuric oxide (yellow) ophthalmic ointment in the treatment of eyelid infections, i.e., bacterial blepharitis. A total of 39 patients with bacterial counts and clinical signs indicative of eyelid infection were treated twice daily for 7 days. Clinical biomicroscopic examination and quantitative microbiologic cultures were done just prior to initiation of treatment and again on days 3 and 7. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in the clinical signs, bacterial count, cure rate, and improvement rate for subjects taking the active medication, compared with those taking the placebo on days 3 and 7. In addition, the medication was well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hyndiuk
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Burd
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hartz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D017669:Mercury Compounds; D009824:Ointments; D010087:Oxides; D008628:Mercury; C019468:mercuric oxide