A critical look at ocular allergy drugs.
Topical ocular allergy drugs are indicated for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis after more conservative measures have been employed. Antihistamines, vasoconstrictors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, mast cell stabilizers and corticosteroids are available. Levocabastine and ketorolac tromethamine are new drugs for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Lodoxamide is currently indicated only for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis, although treatment efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis and atopic keratoconjunctivitis. As a general rule, topical ocular allergy drugs are well tolerated by most patients except for transient stinging and burning on instillation. Ocular steroids should be reserved for severe cases and should be prescribed by an ophthalmologist, who can monitor the patient for possible ocular side effects.
Joseph Titi
M
M
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601, USA.
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020911:Ketorolac Tromethamine; D010072:Oxamic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014046:Tolmetin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014325:Tromethamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D014325:Tromethamine; D020911:Ketorolac Tromethamine; D014046:Tolmetin; C047340:levocabastine; D010072:Oxamic Acid; C021702:lodoxamide ethyl