Application of diphenydramine ointment to the eyelids for allergic conjunctivitis

Mitsuhiro Kamimura, ,Hisao Terada,Kenji Sugibayashi,Hiroaki Todo,Faculty Of Pharmacy And Pharmaceutical Science, Josai University, Saitama, Japan ,Takako Ohnishi,Atsuto Mouri,Takahiro Naoi

doi:10.53986/ibjm.2021.0008

Abstract

Introduction: Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with oral anti-allergy agents or topical eye drops, but the response is often incomplete, and symptoms persist. We considered that topical treatment with an antihistamine ointment (diphenhydramine-Restamin Cream®) on the eyelids could be effective as supplemental therapy. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of Restamin Cream® for allergic conjunctivitis. Methods: In patients with allergic conjunctivitis, Restamin Cream® was applied to both eyelids twice a day for 2 weeks. There was a 2-week observation period before treatment and a 2-week washout period after treatment. Patients recorded symptoms (eye itching and watering) on a visual analogue scale for the entire 6-week period. Assessment of quality of life, evaluation of conjunctivitis, and measurement of visual acuity and intraocular pressure were conducted at the start of observation, at initiation of treatment, at completion of treatment, and at the end of washout. Results: 7 patients were enrolled; 5 completed the study and 2 discontinued due to adverse reactions. The quality of life score and objective ocular findings improved in all 5 patients. Visual analogue scale scores for itching and watering also improved significantly in 3 and 2 patients, respectively. Adverse reactions included local skin irritation in 3/7 patients, and transient blurred vision and eye pain in 1 patient each. There were no changes of visual acuity or intraocular pressure. Conclusions: Application of diphenhydramine ointment to the eyelids was effective for allergic conjunctivitis.

Highlights

Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with oral anti-allergy agents or topical eye drops, but the response is often incomplete, and symptoms persist
We considered that topical treatment with an antihistamine ointment on the eyelids could be effective as supplemental therapy
There has been an increase of patients with allergic conjunctivitis or similar allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma, and these diseases can have a substantial negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) [1]

Summary

Introduction

Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with oral anti-allergy agents or topical eye drops, but the response is often incomplete, and symptoms persist. We considered that topical treatment with an antihistamine ointment (diphenhydramine-Restamin Cream®) on the eyelids could be effective as supplemental therapy. Assessment of quality of life, evaluation of conjunctivitis, and measurement of visual acuity and intraocular pressure were conducted at the start of observation, at initiation of treatment, at completion of treatment, and at the end of washout. As the sites of inflammation in patients with allergic conjunctivitis (palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva) are located close to the palpebral skin, we considered that topical treatment with an ointment could be effective as supplemental therapy in patients with persistent symptoms despite current medications. We performed a pilot study to investigate the efficacy and safety of topical application of antihistamine ointment containing diphenhydramine (Restamin Cream®) to the eyelids in patients with allergic conjunctivitis

Methods

Results

Conclusion