title: Comparison of efficacy of oral valacyclovir and topical acyclovir in the treatment of herpes simplex keratitis: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: Thirty eyes of 28 patients with herpetic disease were included in the study. Group 1 patients (15 eyes of 15 subjects) received topical acyclovir (ACV) ointment. Oral valacyclovir (VACV) was prescribed to group 2 (15 eyes of 13 patients). The anterior segment of each eye was carefully examined by slit lamp and scored. Each patient was also instructed to grade his/her subjective symptoms. The corneal lesion healed significantly faster in the group 2 eyes compared to the group 1 eyes. Photophobia score on day 3 and slit-lamp score on day 10 were at significantly lower levels in group 2 compared to group 1. In herpetic keratitis, oral VACV can be a good alternative to ACV ointment therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sozen
authors.forename: Avni Murat
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Avunduk
authors.forename: Nurettin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akyol
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir