methylcellulose and Keratoconjunctivitis

Systemic administration of drugs can diminish the tear flow as with timolol and atropine, or can increase the tear production as with bromhexine. Turpentine fumes (100 ppm/30 min or 30 ppm/8 h) have been shown to diminish the break up time (BUT) of tears by diminishing the lipid layer of the precorneal film. Ointment and drugs suspended in oil also diminish BUT, not only do they dry the corneal and conjunctival epithelium (judged by the rose bengal score) but also diminish the outflow as judged by the tear river dye dilution test in both normal people and those with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Benzalconium chloride in concentrations used as a preservative and cocaine have also been shown to reduce BUT.

Topics: Castor Oil; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Methylcellulose; Mineral Oil; Polyvinyl Alcohol; Rose Bengal; Secretory Rate; Sodium Chloride; Tears; Turpentine

Patients with clinically well defined keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) participated in two trials of hypo-osmolar tear substitutes. The trials were double masked, single crossover studies with computer generated random order allocation and were conducted by postal questionnaire. In the first trial a hypo-osmolar formulation using polyvinylpyrrolidone and hydroxyethyl cellulose was compared with the patients' usual treatment (BJ6 or hypromellose) and found to be inferior, especially in respect of blurring and stickiness caused by higher viscosity. In the second trial hypo-osmolar preparations of BJ6 and hypromellose were compared with their iso-osmolar equivalents and found not to be significantly different in their effects. Hypo-osmolarity alone does not seem to guarantee relief of symptoms in KCS. Other factors including viscosity and colloid osmotic pressure may be more significant.

Topics: Cellulose; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Hypotonic Solutions; Hypromellose Derivatives; Keratoconjunctivitis; Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca; Male; Methylcellulose; Middle Aged; Ophthalmic Solutions; Osmolar Concentration; Povidone; Xerophthalmia

The effect upon the tear film of a new tear substitute, Dacriosol, was compared to a non-viscous solution, saline, an to a highly viscous solution, Isopto Plain, in 15 normal healthy subjects and in 15 patients with mild to moderate keratoconjunctivitis sicca. No differences between the test solutions could be measured 3 h after last medication regarding: Schirmer's test, break-up time, rose bengal staining, corneal sensitivity and tear content of lysozyme. The test persons could not discriminate subjectively between the effect of the test solutions. The investigation parameters show an equal effect of Dacriosol, Isopto Plain and saline both in normal healthy subjects and in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dextrans; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Hypromellose Derivatives; Keratoconjunctivitis; Male; Methylcellulose; Middle Aged; Sodium Chloride; Tears; Viscosity; Visual Acuity

The mucolytic agent bromhexine in 0.2% solution in eye drops form was compared with 0.5% methyl cellulose eye drops in a controlled single-blind crossover study involving 24 volunteers (seven men and 17 women) in whom sicca syndrome had been diagnosed on the basis of the lysozyme test. There was no statistically significant difference between the volunteers' preferences for one of the two products or in the objective parameters, i.e. the lysozyme test, the bengal red rating scale and Schirmer's test. Seven subjects showed a distinct preference for treatment with Dakryo Biciron and six patients preferred methyl cellulose; the remaining patients had no special preference for either of the two drugs. The preference for one of the two drugs could not be correlated with the values of the objective parameters.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bromhexine; Female; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Male; Methylcellulose; Middle Aged; Ophthalmic Solutions

We studied the effect of altering the pH of an artificial tear preparation on the tolerance of 20 patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Of those who expressed a preference, 11/17 preferred a tear substitute more alkaline than any preparation now available in North America. We recommend an alkaline tear substitute as a valuable alternative in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Benzalkonium Compounds; Borates; Boric Acids; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Combinations; Drug Compounding; Drug Evaluation; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Keratoconjunctivitis; Male; Methylcellulose; Middle Aged; Ophthalmic Solutions; Potassium Chloride; Sodium Chloride

The slow-releasing artificial tear (SR-AT) is a soluble polymer in solid form. Placed in the inferior cul-de-sac and allowed to dissolve, it is used to treat dry-eye patients. The SR-AT was studied in two phases. The short-term cross-over study of 40 patients was completed in October 1976. The long-term open study is still in progress. Of 37 patients who started the long-term study, 18 are still using the inserts-a study retention of 49%.

Topics: Cellulose; Child; Delayed-Action Preparations; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Male; Methylcellulose; Middle Aged; Sjogren's Syndrome; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Xerophthalmia

Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is an uncommon, painful inflammation of the ocular surface localized to the superior sectors of the cornea, limbus, and conjunctiva. The clinical course tends to be chronic, with alternating periods of remission and exacerbation. Many patients experience severe ocular discomfort for long periods. Corneal involvement may induce scarring, astigmatism, and ultimately decreased vision. SLK typically occurs in woman between 20 and 60 years of age. Little is known about the features of SLK in young children because the earliest age described in the literature is adolescence. We report the clinical presentation and management of SLK in a 7-year-old boy who responded well to topical steroids and lubricants.

Topics: Child; Chronic Disease; Conjunctiva; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fluorometholone; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Hyperemia; Hypromellose Derivatives; Keratoconjunctivitis; Limbus Corneae; Male; Methylcellulose; Ophthalmic Solutions; Vasculitis

The author reports on 16 patients (9 with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, 7 with Sjögren's syndrome) treated with Isopto-Naturale eye drops for 10 months. Reduction of photophobia, burning, dryness and foreign-body sensation were achieved by local administration of the drug 2 to 5 times a day. The lesions in the corneal epithelium also improved significantly during the treatment period. Thus, Isopto-Naturale eye drops have proved to be more effective than 1% methylcellulose or 1.4% PVA artificial tear eye drops in the treatment of dry-eye syndrome.

Topics: Humans; Hypromellose Derivatives; Keratoconjunctivitis; Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca; Methylcellulose; Ophthalmic Solutions; Sjogren's Syndrome

The slow-release artificial tear (SRAT) is a biodegradable, cellulosic polymer without preservative which is inserted beneath the tarsus of the lower lid, and which provides continuous lubrication and tear film stability to the eye. The SR-AT has been shown to reduce both subjective symptoms and objective signs in patients with keratitis sicca, and is a valuable adjunct to therapy in patients with this disease.

Topics: Cellulose; Delayed-Action Preparations; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Methylcellulose; Ophthalmic Solutions; Xerophthalmia

Topics: Angina Pectoris; Female; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Light; Methylcellulose; Middle Aged; Pain; Phobic Disorders; Practolol

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Adult; Cautery; Contact Lenses; Eyelids; Female; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Lacrimal Apparatus; Metabolic Diseases; Methods; Methylcellulose; Ophthalmic Solutions; Parotid Gland; Postoperative Complications; Sjogren's Syndrome; Surgery, Plastic; Sympathectomy

Topics: Avitaminosis; Collagen Diseases; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; Eye Diseases; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Methylcellulose; Polyvinyl Alcohol; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Tears; Trachoma

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Female; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Lacrimal Apparatus; Methylcellulose; Sex Factors; Tears

Topics: Administration, Topical; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chloramphenicol; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Lacrimal Apparatus; Methylcellulose; Mucus; Ophthalmic Solutions; Prednisolone; Staphylococcal Infections; Xerophthalmia

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Child; Child, Preschool; Cornea; Female; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Lacrimal Apparatus; Male; Methylcellulose; Middle Aged; Mucus; Salivary Glands; Sarcoidosis; Tears; Xerostomia

Topics: Anesthetics; Autoimmune Diseases; Bicarbonates; Chloramphenicol; Cysteine; Dextrans; Heparin; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Idoxuridine; Keratoconjunctivitis; Lacrimal Apparatus; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Methylcellulose; Oils; Paraffin; Rheumatic Diseases; Sodium Chloride; Staphylococcal Infections; Steroids; Surface-Active Agents; Tears; Thyroxine; Vitamin A