N-acetylcysteine in chronic blepharitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in chronic posterior blepharitis.


METHODS
This was a prospective randomized, controlled study that included 79 eyes of 40 patients with chronic posterior blepharitis. Routine ophthalmologic examination, Schirmer-1 test, fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), and mucous fern tests were carried out during the first visit of all patients. A topical steroid, topical antibiotic, and artificial tears were started in 36 eyes of 18 patients. The therapy group (43 eyes of 22 patients) was administered three daily doses of 100 mg oral NAC. All patients were examined weekly for 1 to 4 months (average, 24 +/- 0.7). A Schirmer-1 test and FBUT were administered at every visit, but mucous fern tests were administered every two weeks. The results of the first and last Schirmer-1 tests, FBUT, and mucous fern test were compared between the therapy and control groups. Student's t and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
FBUT was significantly increased (p < 0.0001), and the mucous fern pattern was also significantly improved (p = 0.0096) in the therapy group.


CONCLUSIONS
NAC is thought to increase FBUT and improve mucous fern pattern by blocking lipid peroxidation in chronic blepharitis.
Yalçin
Elvan
E
Ophthalmology Department, SSK Okmeydani Training Hospital, Kayisdagi cad., Eston camlievler sitesi A8D17, Sahilcami, Içerenköy 81120, Istanbul, Turkey. yalcina@renault-mais.com.tr
Altin
Feyza
F
Cinhüseyinoglue
Feriha
F
Arslan
M Okan
MO
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009077:Mucins / Q000737:chemistry; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009077:Mucins; C009935:prednisolone acetate; D011239:Prednisolone; D014031:Tobramycin; D000111:Acetylcysteine