A randomized trial of low-dose, topical mitomycin-C in the treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose, topical mitomycin-C in patients with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis.


METHODS
Placebo-controlled, double-masked, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis refractory to combination of steroid and mast-cell stabilizer treatment.


METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to treatment with topical 0.01% mitomycin-C eye drops (n = 17) or placebo (n = 9) three times daily for 2 weeks.


METHODS
Symptoms (itching, tearing, photophobia, ropy mucous discharge, foreign body sensation) and signs (conjunctival hyperemia, epithelial punctate keratitis, Trantas' dots, limbal edema, and palpebral conjunctival giant papillae) of vernal keratoconjunctivitis recorded on the day of enrollment and at the end of the treatment period.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant decrease in ropy mucous discharge, photophobia, conjunctival hyperemia, and limbal edema in the mitomycin-C treated group compared with the placebo group at the end of the 2-week treatment period. In addition, none of the 17 treated patients, but all 9 of the placebo patients, required medication during the 4-week posttreatment follow-up period. No adverse effects of treatment with mitomycin-C were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term, low-dose, topical mitomycin-C may be considered in the acute exacerbation periods of patients with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis refractory to conventional treatment.
Akpek
E K
EK
Ocular Immunology Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Hasiripi
H
H
Christen
W G
WG
Kalayci
D
D
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016685:Mitomycin