SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE EYE DROPS - REGULAR VERSUS AS NEEDED USE IN THE TREATMENT OF SEASONAL ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of sodium cromoglycate eye drops (Opticrom 2%) used regu larly versus as needed in the treatment of seasonal (ragweed) allergic conjunctivitis. Methods: A randomized, unblinded, parallel group comp arison was performed during the 6 week of the ragweed pollen season. S ixty-two adults with ragweed pollen-induced conjunctivitis were recrui ted for the study from previous ragweed studies and notices in the loc al media. Two drops of sodium cromoglycate were placed in each eye eit her four times daily (regular treatment group) or when needed, up to f our times daily (prn group), from 1 week before and throughout the rag weed pollen season. Uncontrolled eye symptoms were treated with terfen adine 60 mg as needed, up to 120 mg daily. Subjects kept daily diaries for symptoms and medication requirements throughout the 6 weeks of tr eatment. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire was adm inistered and adverse experiences were reported after 1, 3, and 6 week of treatment. Results: Diary eye symptoms were similar in the two tre atment groups, but quality of life was better in the regular treatment group. There was a trend for the prn group to require more terfenadin e for uncontrolled eye symptoms. Conclusions: There may be some additi onal therapeutic benefit from using sodium cromoglycate rye drops regu larly throughout the ragweed pollen season.