Nedocromil sodium in contact-lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis

Forty-five patients with contact-lens-associated papillary conjunctivitis (CLAPC) were included in a 6-week double-masked group comparative study of unpreserved 2% nedocromil sodium eye drops and placebo. Data were collected by diary card recording of symptoms and duration of lens wear, assessment of symptoms at clinic visits, biomicroscopic appraisal of signs on the globe and the upper tarsal conjunctiva, and laboratory analysis of tear and serum IgE levels. All assessments were made by the same clinician throughout the study. Diary card records demonstrated that there was significantly less itching in the nedocromil sodium group compared with the placebo group during weeks 1-3 of the study (p < 0.01), but not during weeks 4-6. Findings for duration of lens wear were inconclusive, due to differences between the groups at admission. Biomicroscopic assessment showed a significant difference in mucus found on the upper tarsal surface in favour of nedocromil sodium by the end of the study (p < 0.02). Twenty-one patients experienced adverse events during the study. The most common were taste and/or stinging on insertion of the drops. No significant difference was seen for tear or serum IgE between the two treatment groups during the study.