Evaluation of the Effects of Chloroquine Phosphate Eye Drops in patients with Dry Eye Syndrome

DR. JAISHREE SINGH; Dr. Nahar Singh Choudhary; Dr. Ashok Meena

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2019

Evaluation of the Effects of Chloroquine Phosphate Eye Drops in patients with Dry Eye Syndrome

Dr. Jaishree Singh, Dr. Nahar Singh Choudhary, Dr. Ashok Meena

Abstract :

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.03% chloroquine phosphate eye drops in comparison with artificial tears for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Methods: A prospective, randomized, case control study was conducted on 240 eyes of 120 patients which were assigned into 2 groups– Group: 1 Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC), 60 patients, Dose: 0.5%, 2–4 times / day Group: 2 Chloroquine phosphate (CHQ), 60 patients, Dose: 0.03%, twice a day Main outcome measures included efficacy aspects viz. Lissamine Green Stain Score (LGSS), Fluorescine Stain Score (FLSS), Schirmer test, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) . Results: The most significant improvements with CHQ treatment were in LGSS from baseline (2.79±0.12) to (0.22±0.04) after treatment (p < 0.001) with the net change –2.57 (95% CI of –2.83 to –2.32). CHQ treated group also reflected significant reduction in FLSS at final visit (0.47±0.065) as compared to baseline (3.21±0.12) with a net change of –2.74 (95% CI of –3.007 to –2.451). Significant decrease in OSDI scores indicated a decrease in the effect of ocular symptoms on patients’ daily lives. Conclusions: CHQ eye drops were found to be more effective, safe and well tolerated than artificial tears in patients with dry eye syndrome.