title: Placebo-controlled, double-blind evaluation of the efficacy and safety of yellow mercuric oxide in suppression of eyelid infections.
abstract: We tested an over-the-counter ophthalmic ointment, yellow mercuric oxide 1%, for safety and efficacy in decreasing eyelid-margin bacterial-colony counts. Of 150 patients screened for high bacterial levels, 78 were randomized in double-blind fashion to either yellow mercuric oxide bid (41 patients or 53%) or a placebo (37 patients or 47%). Bacterial-colony counts were determined at outset and at days 4 and 7 of treatment. At the conclusion of treatment on day 7, 87% of patients in the mercuric oxide group were successful in decreasing bacterial counts, compared with 59% of patients treated with placebo (P = .01). Side effects were no higher in the active group than in the placebo group. We have shown mercuric oxide 1% to be safe and effective in reducing eyelid bacterial-colony counts in patients with hordeolum and blepharitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kastl
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mather
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D017669:Mercury Compounds; D010087:Oxides; D010919:Placebos; D008628:Mercury; C019468:mercuric oxide