[Effects of emedastine eyedrops on acute seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in children].

The developments of the symptoms of acute allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva (itching of the eye, conjunctival hyperaemia and oedema, and lacrimation) is largely due to the histamine released in the course of the allergic reaction. A major role in its treatment is therefore played by eyedrops with an antihistamine effect. The aims of the present study were to establish whether there is a rapid effect of eyedrops containing the selective H1 receptor blocker emedastine on acute seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and, if so, the time required for this effect to develop. Eyedrops containing emedastine were administered in the ragweed season to 20 children (12 boys and 8 girls) with acute allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva resulting from a hypersensitivity to ragweed pollen, the average age of the 20 children was 12.3 years (range: 5-19). The degrees of itching of the eye and of conjunctival hyperaemia were each characterised on a scale ranging from 0 to 4 (4 denoting the most severe symptoms). It was found that, after a single administration of 1 emedastine eyedrop, the degree of itching of the eye fell from the starting score of 2.85 +/- 0.75 to 0.45 +/- 0.51 within an average of 2.95 minutes, while the conjunctival hyperaemia fell from 2.35 +/- 0.59 to 0.55 +/- 0.51 in an average of 7.7 minutes. The level of the improvement for both symptoms was highly significant. An undesirable side effect (a burning sensation on the eyeball) was observed in one case. It may be stated that the eyedrop containing emedastine effectively decreases the extents of itching of the eye and conjunctival hyperaemia in children with acute allergic conjunctivitis, its effects are exerted within minutes.