Effectiveness of nedocromil sodium 2% eyedrops on clinical symptoms and tear fluid cytology of patients with vernal conjunctivitis

A double-masked, randomised, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of nedocromil 2% eyedrops, a mast cell stabiliser, in 20 symptomatic patients with vernal conjunctivitis. A 1-week baseline period was followed by 6 weeks of treatment. Clinical examination and cytological evaluation of tear fluid were performed weekly, and the patients recorded their subjective assessment on a daily diary card. The nedocromil group showed significantly less hyperaemia in the course of treatment than did the placebo group, and significantly less itching at all visits compared with baseline itching. In the nedocromil-treated group, but not in the placebo group, the number of neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes in tears decreased significantly during some treatment weeks when compared with baseline. The overall assessment of treatment efficacy by both clinician and patient was significantly in favour of nedocromil treatment over placebo.