Effects of Punctal Occlusion on Ocular Itching and Conjunctival Redness Associated with Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Purpose: Punctal occlusion using punctal plugs has been successfully used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. However, the effects of punctal occlusion on the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis (AC) have been less well documented. There is some concern among clinicians that punctal occlusion may make signs/symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis worse by trapping allergens on the eye.

Ocular benzalkonium chloride exposure: problems and solutions.

Preservatives in multidose formulations of topical ophthalmic medications are crucial for maintaining sterility but can be toxic to the ocular surface. Benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-used in approximately 70% of ophthalmic formulations-is well known to cause cytotoxic damage to conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells, resulting in signs and symptoms of ocular surface disease (OSD) including ocular surface staining, increased tear break-up time, and higher OSD symptom scores. These adverse effects are more problematic with chronic exposure, as in lifetime therapy for glaucoma, but can also manifest after exposure as brief as seven days.

Phase 3 Randomized Study of Efficacy and Safety of a Dexamethasone Intracanalicular Insert in Patients With Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a dexamethasone intracanalicular ocular insert for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 clinical trial.

Methods: Subjects with allergic conjunctivitis were randomized 1:1 to receive a dexamethasone insert or a placebo insert in both eyes and were evaluated using a modified version of the conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC) model.