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Evaluation of allergic conjunctivitis by thermography
Yuko Hara1, Atsushi Shiraishi, Masahiko Yamaguchi
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ehime University School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Japan.
Ophthalmic Research
|March 8, 2014
Summary
Ocular surface temperature, measured by a non-contact ocular surface thermographer (OST), can objectively assess anti-allergic eye drop efficacy. Levocabastine significantly reduced temperature increases post-allergen challenge compared to artificial tears.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Allergy Research
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) affects many individuals, leading to discomfort and inflammation.
- Current methods for assessing anti-allergic eye drop efficacy can be subjective.
- Objective biomarkers are needed to evaluate treatment effectiveness in allergic eye conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if ocular surface temperature can serve as an objective measure for evaluating the efficacy of anti-allergic eye drops.
- To compare the efficacy of levocabastine ophthalmic suspension against artificial tears in a controlled allergic conjunctivitis model.
Main Methods:
- A masked, randomized study involving 13 patients with proven cedar pollen allergy.
- Induction of allergic conjunctivitis using a conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC).
- Measurement of ocular surface temperature using a non-contact ocular surface thermographer (OST) before and after CAC.
- Assessment of conjunctival injection and chemosis via slit-lamp biomicroscopy and symptom questionnaires.
Main Results:
- The levocabastine-treated eyes showed a significantly smaller increase in ocular surface temperature (0.21 ± 0.06°C) compared to artificial tear-treated eyes (0.67 ± 0.10°C) after CAC (p < 0.05).
- Levocabastine significantly reduced conjunctival injection and chemosis scores compared to artificial tears (p < 0.01).
- A significant positive correlation was found between the increase in ocular surface temperature and the severity of conjunctival injection (r = 0.63; p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Ocular surface temperature, measured by OST, is a reliable objective indicator of the severity of allergic conjunctivitis.
- The study demonstrates the efficacy of levocabastine ophthalmic suspension in mitigating allergic eye inflammation.
- Ocular surface thermography offers a promising tool for objectively evaluating the effectiveness of topical anti-allergic treatments.
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