TOPICAL SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE (OPTICROM(R)) RELIEVES ONGOING SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS WITHIN 2 MINUTES

xTwelve patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis caused by eithe r birch or timothy grass pollen were challenged out of season in both eyes, with the relevant allergen. Itching, redness, swelling, and tear ing were assessed on a 0-3 scale. When a positive reaction, i.e., at l east 4 points, had occurred in both eyes, one drop of 2% sodium cromog lycate was administered to one eye and one drop of placebo to the othe r eye in each patient, in a double-blind, randomized fashion. Symptoms were then assessed after 2, 10, 30, and 60 min. Sodium cromoglycate w as statistically better than placebo in reducing the symptoms at 2, 10 , and 30 min after the treatment had been administered, showing that t opical application of 2% sodium cromoglycate can quickly relieve ongoi ng symptoms of allergic inflammation in the eye.