Tariq Mahmud Arain, Nazeer Ahmad Aasi.
A Comparison of Local and Systemic Acyclovir in the Management of Herpetic Disciform Keratitis.
Pak J Ophthalmol Jan ;15(2):65-8.

Thirty-three patients with active herpetic disciform keratitis were entered into an open study to compare the efficacy of oral acyclovir (400mg) with acyclovir ophthalmic ointment (3%) to inhibit viral replication during treatment with 0.12% prednisolone acetate eye drops. All patients regardless of the mode of therapy were treated 5 times a day until they were healed. The mean time to heal in the oral group was 25.7 days and in the topical group It was 25.1 days. Resolution of lacrimation was significantly faster in the oral group. The patients on tablets also showed a greater improvement in visual acuity. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in the incidence of recurrences over a 2-year post-treatment period. It was concluded that oral acyclovir treatment was an effective alternative to ophthalmic ointment in the management of herpetic disciform keratitis.

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