title: Topical Olopatadine in the Treatment of Allergic Conjunctivitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the safety and efficacy of topical olopatadine versus placebo and other topical anti-allergic medications in treating allergic conjunctivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched the literature for randomized-controlled trials that included patients with allergic conjunctivitis, compared olopatadine versus placebo or alternative anti-allergic medications, and examined itch, conjunctival hyperemia, composite symptom or sign scores, and/or occurrence of adverse events. We assessed the safety and efficacy of topical olopatadine when compared with placebo or alternative anti-allergic medications using meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When compared with placebo, topical olopatadine is associated with a pooled-mean difference (MD) in ocular itch of -1.33 (p < 0.00001) and ocular hyperemia of -0.92 (p < 0.00001). When compared with other agents, olopatadine was inferior to alcaftadine on ocular itch (pooled-MD = 0.39; p < 0.00001) but comparable with epinastine and ketotifen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical olopatadine is a safe and effective treatment modality for allergic conjunctivitis, whereas alcaftadine appears to be superior to olopatadine in reducing ocular itch.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , Prince of Wales Hospital , Hong Kong.|b Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ka Wai
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , Prince of Wales Hospital , Hong Kong.|b Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Li Jia
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: b Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wat
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , Prince of Wales Hospital , Hong Kong.|b Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Alvin L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D060433:Administration, Ophthalmic; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001552:Benzazepines; D003984:Dibenzazepines; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D007093:Imidazoles; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride; C557708:alcaftadine; C053090:epinastine; D007665:Ketotifen
keywords: Allergic conjunctivitis; antihistamine; cornea and external eye; mast cell stabilizer; meta-analysis; olopatadine