Efficacy of lodoxamide 0.1% versus N-acetyl aspartyl glutamic acid 6% ophthalmic solutions in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

In a double-masked, randomized and controlled clinical trial, the effectiveness and safety of lodoxamide 0.1% eye drops were compared with N-acetyl aspartyl glutamic acid 6% (NAAGA) drops in the treatment of 120 patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. There were 60 patients in each of the two study groups. The drugs were instilled 4 times daily for 60 days. Follow-up examinations were made on days 7, 30 and 60. Of the 120 patients, 98 (50 in lodoxamide and 48 in NAAGA groups) were still available for follow-up on day 7, 89 (45 in lodoxamide and 44 in NAAGA groups) on day 30 and 75 (38 in lodoxamide and 37 in NAAGA groups) on day 60. Lodoxamide was clinically more effective than NAAGA. Statistically significant trends toward improvement were noted in the lodoxamide group in resolving papillae on day 30, decreasing corneal staining on days 30 and 60, relieving photophobia on day 60, tearing on days 7, 30 and 60 and itching on days 30 and 60. Lodoxamide 0.1% was more effective in lowering the mean scores for corneal staining on days 30 and 60 (p < 0.05). The composite scores for clinical signs and symptoms calculated by averaging the mean scores for signs and symptoms showed clinically significant differences in favor of the lodoxamide group. More frequent follow-up visits might have resulted in better statistical correlations. Treatment-related adverse events were reported in both groups with similar frequency but none were permanent or serious.