Comparison of efficacy of bromfenac sodium 0.1% ophthalmic solution and fluorometholone 0.02% ophthalmic suspension for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.
OBJECTIVE
Bromfenac sodium (BF) 0.1% was compared with fluorometholone (FML) 0.02% for the treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis when concomitantly used with disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) 2.0%.


METHODS
Eighty-six patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis were treated with DSCG four times a day, and BF was concomitantly administered twice a day in one eye and FML was administered four times a day in the contralateral eye for 1 week. Ocular signs were scored on a four-graded severity. Patients recorded symptoms using visual analog scale. Patients were asked which concomitant treatment was more suitable for them and scored global evaluation.


RESULTS
All subjective symptom scores were decreased in both concomitant treatment groups compared with baseline (P < 0.05). Objective signs were significantly improved with the concomitant use of BF or FML with DSCG (P < 0.05). Neither symptoms nor signs differed significantly between the concomitant use of BF and FML. Fifteen patients selected BF and 29 patients selected FML as the more preferred concomitant eye drops, 42 patients judged no difference in efficacy between the groups. No significant difference was observed in patient's global evaluation between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Bromfenac sodium for allergic conjunctivitis was effective, with efficacy equivalent to that of FML when used with DSCG.
Department of Ophthalmology, International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Mita, Tokyo, Japan. fujishima@IUHW.ac.jp
Hiroshi
H
Fujishima
Kazumi
K
Fukagawa
Yoji
Y
Takano
Mari
M
Tanaka
Shigeki
S
Okamoto
Dai
D
Miyazaki
Jun
J
Yamada
Atsuki
A
Fukushima
Eiichi
E
Uchio
Yayoi
Y
Nakagawa
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001577:Benzophenones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001969:Bromobenzenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005469:Fluorometholone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013535:Suspensions
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001577:Benzophenones; D001969:Bromobenzenes; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013535:Suspensions; C053083:bromfenac; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D005469:Fluorometholone