Evaluation of topical 0.03% flurbiprofen drops in the treatment of herpetic stromal keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
The management protocol for herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) is still controversial. We have attempted to compare the relative efficacy of topical dexamethasone 0.01% and flurbiprofen 0.03% in combination with topical acyclovir 3% in HSK.


METHODS
In this institutional, prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study, 45 clinically diagnosed cases of HSK were randomly distributed into three coded treatment groups--topical placebo, dexamethasone 0.01%, and flurbiprofen 0.03% each in tapering frequency and in combination with acyclovir 3% ointment five times per day for four weeks. Therapeutic response was assessed every third day for four weeks. Decoding of the treatment groups was done at the conclusion of the study and data analysed.


RESULTS
Four-week success rate was 93.3% (14 of 15) in the dexamethasone-acyclovir treatment group, 66.7% (10 of 15) in the flurbiprofen-acyclovir treatment group and 20% (3 of 15) in the placebo-acyclovir treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
While dexamethasone in combination with acyclovir gives the best results in HSK with minimal side-effects, the role of topical flurbiprofen seems promising.
Vajpayee
R B
RB
Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Dhakal
B P
BP
Gupta
S K
SK
Sachdev
M S
MS
Satpathy
G
G
Honavar
S G
SG
Panda
A
A
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D005480:Flurbiprofen; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000212:Acyclovir