Table 2:

Standard and non-standard medications for the treatment of viral keratitis. Standard medications are the first line of defense and given during the initial treatment of viral keratitis. Non-standard medications are given when the standard medications show little efficacy in controlling the disease.

Name:	Type of treatment modality:	Dosing Frequency:	Mechanism of action:	Benefits:	Disadvantages:
Cidofovir	Standard	5 mg/kg/week intravenously for two weeks. Then every alternate week.	Antiviral	Active against multiple viruses including adenoviruses and herpesviruses. More effective than gangiclovir	Nephrotoxicity when taken orally
Brincidofovir	Standard	5 mg/kg/week intravenously for two weeks. Then every alternate week.	Antiviral	Lipid ester form of cidofovir and can be taken orally	Diarrhea observed in pediatric patients
Ganciclovir	Standard	5 mg/kg every 12 hours	Antiviral	3% gel can be applied topically to avoid systemic usage	-
Acyclovir	Standard	800 mg five times daily for seven days	Antiviral	Taken orally to prevent active infection	Topical gels are not as effective
Valacyclovir	Standard	1000 mg three times daily for seven days	Antiviral	Reduced dosage when compared to acyclovir	-
Trifluridine	Standard	1% drop every 2 hours	Antiviral	Works more efficiently than acyclovir when used topically	Causes ocular irritation and inflammation during prolonged use
Prednisolone	Standard	0.1 % ophthalmic drops four times daily	Glucocorticoid	Reduces inflammation and pain	Causes blurred vision during administration. Should be administered alongside antiviral treatment
Dexamethasone	Standard	0.1 % ophthalmic drops four times daily	Glucocorticoid	Reduces inflammation and pain	Causes blurred vision during administration. Should be administered alongside antiviral treatment
Loteprednol	Standard	0.5 % ophthalmic drops four times daily	Glucocorticoid	Reduces inflammation and pain	Causes blurred vision during administration. Should be administered alongside antiviral treatment
Cyclosporine	Non-standard	0.05 % ophthalmic drops two times daily	Anti-inflammatory	Reduces inflammation and pain
Fluorometholone	Non-standard	0.1 % ophthalmic drops four times daily	Glucocorticoid	Effective against keratoconjuctivitis and episcleritis	Causes blurred vision during administration.
Rimexolone	Non-standard	1 % solution drops two times daily	Glucocorticoid	Can also be used to treat anterior uveitis, conjunctivitis in addition to keratitis	Causes blurred vision and foreign body sensation of eye