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. 1992 Dec;76(12):711–713. doi: 10.1136/bjo.76.12.711

Acyclovir ointment plus topical betamethasone or placebo in first episode disciform keratitis.

W J Power 1, M P Hillery 1, A Benedict-Smith 1, L M Collum 1
PMCID: PMC504388  PMID: 1486070

Abstract

Thirty patients with first episode disciform keratitis and with no previous steroid exposure were randomly assigned to double blind treatment with 3% acyclovir ointment and 0.1% betamethasone (Betnesol) drops or acyclovir ointment and matching placebo. In the steroid group 14 of the 15 patients healed in a mean time of 21.8 days. In the placebo group eight of the 13 patients healed in a mean time of 34.5 days. The difference in mean healing time between the two groups was significant (p < 0.05). The cumulative rate of healing was also quicker in the steroid group when compared with the placebo group (p < 0.001). Other clinical parameters improved more favourably in the combination treatment group. Four patients, two in either group, experienced a mild transient punctate epitheliopathy, but no other serious adverse effects were noted. There has been no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups after a mean follow-up period of approximately 3 years.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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