Prospective cohort trial of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops in conjunctivitis

Introduction: Eye drops made from Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne have been use d in anthroposophical medicine for more than 70 years for the structuring o f the fluid organism in the eye, especially in inflammatory and catarrhal c onjunctivitis. The aim of this prospective cohort trial was to describe the efficacy and tolerability of these eye drops in a community-based setting. To evaluate these questions, prospective cohort studies are the best metho d. This enables the investigator to attain real insights as to which treatm ent administered related to specific results in a specific group of patient s. Design: Prospective, open label, one-armed, multicentered, multinational co hort trial. Setting: The trial was carried out in the clinics of 12 experienced anthrop osophical general practitioners and ophthalmologists in Germany and Switzer land. Patients: Patients with inflammatory or catarrhal conjunctivitis, treated w ith Euphrasia single-dose eye drops were included in the trial. Intervention: One drop of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops 1-5 times a day w as prescribed. The prescription was determined solely by medical therapeuti c needs. Outcome Measures: Efficacy variables were: redness, swelling, secretion, bu rning of the conjunctiva, and foreign body sensation. Tolerability variable s were: conjunctival reddening, burning of the conjunctiva, foreign body se nsation, and veiled vision. All symptoms were given for the right or left e ye separately, with degree of severity in relation to baseline after approx imately 7 days (+/-3 days; first follow-up examination) and after approxima tely 14 days (+/-3 days; second follow-up examination). If, after the first follow-up, all symptoms had disappeared, no second follow-up was done. Results: Sixty-five (65) patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the protocol evaluation. A complete recovery was seen in 53 patients (81.5%) an d a clear improvement in 11 patients (17.0%). A slight worsening could only be determined in 1 patient in the second week of treatment (1.5%). No seri ous adverse events were observed during the entire trial. The efficacy and tolerability were evaluated by the patients and doctors as "good" to "very good" in more than 85%. Conclusion: Euphrasia single-dose eye drops can effectively and safely be u sed for various conjunctival conditions by general practitioners and ophtha lmologists. A dosage of one drop three times a day seems to be the general prescribed dosage.