CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF CARBOCYCLIC OXETANOCIN-G EYEDROPS IN THE TREATMENT OF HERPES-SIMPLEX CORNEAL ULCERS

Background - Acyclovir (ACV) ophthalmic ointment is effective in the t reatment of herpetic keratitis. However, when applied, the ointment ha s an unpleasant feeling and some cases are resistant to ACV. A new ant iviral compound, carbocyclic oxetanocin G (C.OXT-G) has potent anti-he rpes simplex virus activity and high water solubility, so the clinical effect of C.OXT-G eyedrops on ulcerative herpetic keratitis was evalu ated. Methods - Studies were conducted on the corneal ulcers in 37 eye s of 27 patients. Patients with typical dendritic or geographic cornea l ulcers were treated with 0.1% C.OXT-G eyedrops, applied five times a day, together with eyedrops of an antibiotic applied four times a day . The eyes were examined at least twice a week until the ulcers healed , and thereafter at intervals for up to 3 months. Results - All of the ulcers healed, their average healing time being 4.9 (SD 2.2) (range 2 to 9) days. The ulcers in 20 of the 37 eyes were induced by the use o f corticosteroid or immunosuppressive drugs, and their average healing time was 4.8 (2.3) days. No adverse drug reactions were seen during t he observation period in this trial. Conclusion - Eyedrops containing 0.1% C.OXT-G are excellent and safe for treatment of herpes simplex co rneal ulcers in humans.