Prospective screening for thimerosal hypersensitivity: a pilot study.
This pilot study was conducted to determine if prospective patch-test screening could predict ocular tolerance to a thimerosal-preserved chemical disinfection system. Thirty patients were patch tested for thimerosal hypersensitivity before beginning soft contact lens wear. Only one patient exhibited a positive prospective patch test and subsequently developed an ocular thimerosal hypersensitivity. Two other patients with negative patch tests developed thimerosal hypersensitivity reactions over the 1-year study duration. Prospective patch testing for thimerosal hypersensitivity was neither clinically valuable nor sensitive in this particular sample.
Gordon
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School of Optometry/The Medical Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005035:Ethylmercury Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013849:Thimerosal / Q000009:adverse effects*
D005035:Ethylmercury Compounds; D013849:Thimerosal