Efficacy of Azithromycin Hydrate Ophthalmic Solution for Meibomitis-Related Keratoconjunctivitis

Ishikawa S*, Narita Y and Shinoda K

Department of Ophthalmology, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan

^*Correspondance to: Sho Ishikawa 

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Abstract:

Purpose: Meibomitis-Related Keratoconjunctivitis (MRKC) is generally treated with a combination of antibacterial eye drops and low-concentration steroids. Azithromycin hydrate ophthalmic solutions exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of azithromycin hydrate ophthalmic solution monotherapy for MRKC. Methods: Based on their medical records, patients with MRKC who visited Saitama Medical University Hospital between January 2020 and August 2022 and were treated with azithromycin eye drops as a single agent were retrospectively evaluated for improvement of hyperemia and corneal lesions. Results: Eight patients (2 males and 6 females) with a total of 8 eyes, and a mean age of 39.5 ± 26.1 years, were included in the study. Six patients had phlyctenular-type MRKC, and two had nonphlyctenular- type MRKC. The bulbar conjunctival hyperemia grade improved from 1.9 ± 0.6 before treatment to 0.8 ± 1.0 after treatment. The conjunctival vascular area in the surrounding 2 mm annulus from the cornea improved from 51.9 ± 18.5 before treatment to 26.2 ± 27.4 after treatment. Seven patients (88%) showed an improvement in at least one grade. All patients complied with the frequency of eye drops, and there were no apparent adverse effects. Conclusion: Azithromycin ophthalmic monotherapy may be effective in the treatment of MRKC.

Keywords:

Azithromycin; Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis; Meibom gland dysfunction; Meibomitis-Related Keratoconjunctivitis (MRKC)

Cite the Article:

Ishikawa S, Narita Y, Shinoda K. Efficacy of Azithromycin Hydrate Ophthalmic Solution for Meibomitis- Related Keratoconjunctivitis. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2024; 9: 2658.