"Dye/light" Dye-induced photosensitization of herpes virus. A clinical trial on humans

A series of 21 patients with herpetic corneal ulcers was treated by photodynamic inactivation (using a single application of neutral red 1 per cent solution followed by a 15-min exposure to a 40 watt light of 440--550 nm), carbolization, or idoxuridine (IDU) ointment. No significant difference was found in the number that healed, the mean healing time, or the number of recurrences after any of the three treatments.