EFFICACY OF LODOXAMIDE EYE DROPS ON MAST-CELLS AND EOSINOPHILS AFTER ALLERGEN CHALLENGE IN ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate in a double-blind, ra ndomized study the efficacy of lodoxamide tromethamine 0.1% versus pla cebo. Methods: Signs and symptoms, tear tryptase, and tear fluid cytol ogy were evaluated in 20 asymptomatic subjects with allergic conjuncti vitis. The study included three allergen challenges in skin test-posit ive patients. At the first visit, a threshold dose of allergen was est ablished. At the second visit, a bilateral ocular challenge was perfor med without pretreatment. At the third visit, either lodoxamide or pla cebo eye drops were used for 1 week before ocular challenge. Results: Lodoxamide significantly reduced tryptase levels (P < 0.01), neutrophi ls (P < 0.04), and eosinophils (P < 0.01) in the tear fluid and signif icantly inhibited ocular itching (P < 0.02) when compared with that of placebo. Conclusions: Lodoxamide is effective in reducing tryptase le vels and the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the tear fluid after allergen challenge.