Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate efficacy of a corticosteroid and an oil-in-water emulsion for the treatment of LWE.
Methods: :
LWE was diagnosed with staining and grading techniques. Symptoms were evaluated with the SPEED questionnaire. Subject groups included: n=40 treated with Lotemax (Bausch & Lomb), n=40 with Soothe (Bausch & Lomb), and n=30 untreated control.
Results: :
After a >1mo treatment phase (1 drop twice daily) and 1 yr maintenance phase there was improvement in signs (p<0.001) and symptoms (p<0.001) in all groups but the control. Of subjects (n=46) completing the maintenance phase, 39 sustained improvement (p<0.01).
Conclusions: :
This study demonstrates equal effectiveness of a corticosteroid and an oil-in-water emulsion eye drop for the initial treatment of lid wiper epitheliopathy as well as the long-term efficacy of an oil-in-water metastable emulsion in maintaining improvement of the epithelium. The corticosteroid and oil-in-water emulsion were both effective in minimizing or eliminating LWE signs and symptoms.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium