title: Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution: efficacy and treatment modalities in chronic blepharitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of topical 1.5% azithromycin in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic blepharitis and to compare the efficacy of two different treatment modalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized clinical trial included 67 patients with chronic anterior and/or posterior blepharitis, followed-up for 3 months. Signs and symptoms were graded according to severity. Patients were randomized into two groups: 33 patients in group I and 34 patients in group II. Group I patients were treated with topical 1.5% azithromycin twice a day for three days, and Group II patients were treated with topical 1.5% azithromycin twice a day for three days then at bedtime for the rest of the month. All patients were instructed to apply warm compresses and an eye-friendly soap twice daily.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in both groups tolerated the treatment with minimal irritation. A significant improvement in signs and symptoms was noted at the one week follow-up visit. Group II showed a more pronounced and longer-lasting improvement that persisted after three months of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical 1.5% azithromycin ophthalmic solution is an effective treatment option for chronic blepharitis. In moderate to severe blepharitis, a one month treatment is safe and shows better improvement than the three-day protocol with no significant relapse until three months of follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital - Ashrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fadlallah
authors.forename: Hala El
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Rami
authors.forename: Daoud
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fahd
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dunia
authors.forename: Riad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bejjani
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chlela
authors.forename: Naji
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Waked
authors.forename: Elyse
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jabbour
authors.forename: Sharbel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fahed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D017963:Azithromycin