| Methods |
Allocation method: randomised
Masking: none
Number of centres: one |
| Participants |
Country: Denmark
Number enrolled: 43
Average age (range): not given
Sex: not given
Inclusion criteria: dendritic epithelial keratitis |
| Interventions |
Treatment one (n=20): acyclovir 3% ointment 6 times per day
Treatment two (n=23): acyclovir 3% ointment 6 times per day and wiping débridement |
| Outcomes |
'No epithelial defect was demonstrated after staining' with fluorescein and rose bengal |
| Notes |
Nonstudy interventions: cycloplegic, chloramphenicol ointment
Report language: English
Study date: not given
Financial support: pharmaceutical industry
Adverse reactions: "Superificial punctate keratitis" was observed in four cases in the acyclovir group and in three cases in the acyclovir‐débridement group. Six patients "complained of stinging after application of acyclovir ointment." "No other side effects were observed, and no patients were withdrawn due to side effects." |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Low risk |
The investigators describe a random component in the sequence generation process |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Insufficient information |
| Blinding (performance bias and detection bias)
All outcomes |
Unclear risk |
Whether the lack of masking influenced outcome assessment could not be determined |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
No missing primary outcome data |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) |
Low risk |
The pre‐specified primary outcome was adequately reported |
| Other bias |
Low risk |
The study appears to be free of other sources of bias |
