Acyclic antimetabolite therapy of experimental herpes simplex keratitis.

In a masked controlled study we compared 3% acycloguanosine, 0.5% idoxuridine, and 3% vidarabine ointments in therapy of experimental herpes simplex virus keratitis in rabbits. The results of the acycloguanosine group were significantly better than the control groups and both other treatment groups, while producing none of the toxic side effects of increasing iritis, conjunctivitis or stromal keratitis, with continued drug application.