Patient evaluation of azelastine ophthalmic solution in allergic conjunctivitis

Abstract

Rationale This patient experience survey was designed to evaluate azelastine (Optivar) ophthalmic solution 0.05% in patients with allergic conjunctivitis. Methods Ophthalmologists and optometrists prescribed azelastine ophthalmic solution and, after 5 days of treatment, recorded patient responses to a questionnaire that included information related to relief of itching, onset and duration of action, and previous medication use. Results Data were analyzed for 1428 patients who had previously used allergic conjunctivitis medications. Forty-seven percent of the patients had most recently used olopatadine ophthalmic solution (Patanol), 22% had most recently used ketotifen ophthalmic solution (Zaditor), and 21% had most recently used nedocromil ophthalmic solution (Alocril). Patient responses were based on an ordinal rating scale of 0 to 10. Of the 1428 patients, 87% (score range 5-10) reported azelastine was moderately-to-very effective in relieving itching of the eye, 85% (score range 5-10) reported azelastine worked quickly, 83% (score range 5-10) reported moderate-to-long lasting relief, 89% reported overall effectiveness in treating their ocular allergy symptoms, and 56% reported azelastine was better than their previous allergic conjunctivitis medication. Responses were similar for a subset of 430 patients who had not previously used allergic conjunctivitis medications. Conclusion Azelastine ophthalmic solution was effective for treating itching of the eye associated with allergic conjunctivitis and was reported to be superior to the most recently used allergic conjunctivitis medication by >50% of the patients. Azelastine was reported to work quickly and provided sustained relief when used twice daily in each affected eye.