EFFICACY OF MIPRAGOSIDE OPHTHALMIC GEL IN VERNAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS

To evaluate the efficacy of Mipragoside, a ganglioside derivative, in vernal keratoconjunctivitis we performed a controlled randomised clini cal trial involving 24 patients (mean age 10+/-3.4 years, range 5-20 y ears). Patients received either Mipragoside 0.5% aqueous ophthalmic ge l or placebo four times a day for 2 weeks after a week of treatment wi th placebo, Ocular signs and symptoms were evaluated and considered fo r statistical analysis, Results show that Mipragoside significantly re duces all symptoms, being most effective on itching (p = 0.01; p = 0.0 001) and hyperaemia (p = 0.01; p = 0.0006) after 1 and 2 weeks respect ively when compared with placebo, Physician judgement of drug efficacy at the end of treatment was significantly in favour of Mipragoside (p = 0.0001) compared with placebo, We conclude that Mipragoside topical treatment improves symptoms of patients,vith vernal keratoconjunctivi tis and we postulate a possible anti-inflammatory activity of this com pound.