Treatment of herpes simplex keratitis with idoxuridine and vidarabine: a double-blind study

A double controlled clinical study comparing idoxuridine (IDU) and vidarabine (ara-A) in the treatment of uncomplicated herpes simplex keratitis was carried out with 10 patients. No statistically significant differences occurred in the healing time between IDU (6.8 days) and ara-A (8.0 days). Two moderately adverse reactions to IDU were observed, but no demonstrable ocular toxicity was noted with ara-A.