Efficacy and safety of topical oxymetazoline in treating allergic and environmental conjunctivitis.

This randomized, double-masked study evaluated the safety and efficacy of oxymetazoline 0.025% topical ophthalmic solution compared with its vehicle when used to treat allergic or environmental conjunctivitis. Thirty-nine patients with moderate bilateral conjunctival hyperemia instilled one drop of either oxymetazoline 0.025% solution or its vehicle twice daily for one week. At each evaluation the signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis were evaluated, complete eye examinations were performed, and heart rate and blood pressure were measured. An overall assessment of treatment efficacy was made at each follow-up evaluation. The signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis had significantly improved in the oxymetazoline-treated group when compared with those of the vehicle-treated group, and the ocular and systemic safety of each treatment was comparable.