@article{Irfan_2020, title={Original research The Efficacy & Safety of 0. 3% Acetylcysteine eyedrops in Filamentary keratitis}, volume={35}, url={https://pjo.org.pk/index.php/pjo/article/view/890}, DOI={10.36351/pjo.v35i4.890}, abstractNote={<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Purpose: </strong></span><span class="s2">To determine the safety and efficacy of 0. 3% Acetylcysteine eyedrops for the resolution of symptoms and signs of filamentary keratitis.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Study design:</strong></span><span class="s2">A Randomised Clinical Trial (RCT).</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Place & Duration of study:</strong></span><span class="s2">This study was conducted at a tertiary care centre for a period of two and a half years, from April 2016toOctober 2018.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Method:</strong></span><span class="s2">This was a prospective,interventionalstudy in which 52 consecutive cases (104 eyes) with mild to severe filamentary keratitis (classification criteria given below), between the ages of 9-72 years(mean 49±8.6) were included. Cases with an active ocular surface infection, uveitis, recent ocular surgery (< one month) and pregnant / lactating patients were excluded.All cases were prescribed lubricants, anti-inflammatory therapy (Tacrolimus skin cream 0.03%) and tetracycline eye ointment for the MGD. The alternate cases were divided into two equal groups of 26 cases; Group A received acetylcysteine eyedrops 0.3%, four times daily, Group B cases received placebo eyedrops (distilled water in a bottle).Clinical symptoms (OSDI),corneal filaments, corneal fluorescein staining,Tear Film BUT and Schirmer’s test were recorded at the beginning of study,and everytwo weeks,for the next 12 weeks.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Results: </strong></span><span class="s2">Primary Outcome Measure was a reduction of symptoms (OSDI score) and absence of filament formation after treatment with 0.3% Acetylcysteine eyedrops. The patients were followed-up for a mean duration 12</span> <span class="s2">±</span> <span class="s2">2weeks. There was a marked subjective as well as objective improvement in all cases within 2-4 weeks of therapy with Acetylcysteine 0.3% eyedrops as compared to the placebo group.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Conclusion:</strong></span><span class="s2">Acetylcysteine 0.3% eyedrops efficiently dissolve filaments and offer quick resolution of symptoms even in severe cases of filamentary keratitis.</span></p>}, number={4}, journal={Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology}, author={Irfan, Sameera}, year={2020}, month={Jan.}, pages={263–270} }