Randomized double-blind trial of bromovinyldeoxyuridine (BVDU) and trifluorothymidine (TFT) in dendritic corneal ulceration

Trifluorothymidine is an established medication used to treat herpes simplex keratitis (inflammation of the cornea, the transparent outermost tunic covering of the eye in front of the iris and lens). A newer, antiviral medication known as bromovinyldeoxyuridine (BVDU) is very potent and works selectively against the type 1 herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus. In animal studies BVDU has been shown to promote corneal healing and to be superior to trifluorothymidine (TFT) in preventing stromal disease (disease of the supporting tissues of the cornea). A study was undertaken to compare these two medications; 60 patients with dendritic corneal ulceration (open sore on the cornea) were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to treatment with either 0.1 percent bromovinyldeoxyuridine or 1 percent trifluorothymidine. In the TFT group 29 of the 30 ulcers healed; in the BVDU group 27 of 29 ulcers healed (one patient was lost to follow-up). The difference in healing was not significant. There was no significant difference between the two patient groups in average healing time or cumulative healing rate. No serious side effects were observed. Transient stinging on instillation of the eye drops was reported by 5 of the 30 TFT patients and 3 of the 29 BVDU patients. These results demonstrate that bromovinyldeoxyuridine is an effective medication for treatment of dendritic corneal ulceration. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)