Conjunctival provocation testing: overview of recent clinical trials in ocular allergy.
OBJECTIVE
The conjunctival provocation test is a human model of ocular allergy that has been used to study the ocular response to allergenic stimuli and to evaluate antiallergic therapy. The review will discuss recent studies using the conjunctival provocation test and other models of ocular allergy, and evaluate the relative merits of different models.


RESULTS
The conjunctival provocation test has allowed investigators to recruit large numbers of allergic individuals who, although asymptomatic, can be challenged with the conjunctival administration of allergen. Observations of the eye can be made before and after challenge, and cells and mediators may be sampled from the ocular surface. In addition, the effectiveness of antiallergic therapy can be evaluated, usually by pretreating the two eyes with different forms or doses of drug.


CONCLUSIONS
Considerable useful information has been gained about the ocular allergic response and drug efficacy using the conjunctival provocation test and naturally occurring seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
Friedlaender
Mitchell H
MH
Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. mfried@scrippsclinic.com
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005241:Feathers; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators