In a double-masked group comparative study, 20 patients received 2% nedocromil sodium four times daily and 23 placebo eye drops, for treatment of perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC). All had at least a one-year diagnosis of bilateral PAC and remained symptomatic despite using 2% sodium cromoglycate eye drops four times daily for at least 14 days Symptom severity (0-4) during sodium cromoglycate monotherapy was then recorded in a one-week baseline prior to randomisation, a minimum total score of 11 being mandatory. During the trial, no eye medication was allowed other than the test treatment. Clinic examinations were made before and after baseline and after one, three and six weeks' treatment, and patients kept daily diary cards of eye symptom severity. Compared to placebo, nedocromil sodium significantly (p<0.05) improved diary scores for itching (weeks 3, 4, 5, 6), total symptoms (weeks 5, 6) and general eye condition (week 6). Mean scores over the final four weeks, allowing a two-week washout, showed similar improvements in itching (p = 0.01), total symptoms (p = 0.05) and general eye condition (p = 0.04). Clinical assessments again favoured nedocromil sodium, which improved itching (week 3, p = 0.002), burning (week 6, p = 0.007), overall eye condition (weeks 3-6, p<0.05). and conjunctival thickening and hyperaemia (weeks 3-6, p<0.05). Finally, both patient (p = 0.02) and clinician (p = 0.0015) opinions of efficacy favoured nedocromil sodium over placebo. These results show nedocromil sodium to be effective in controlling symptoms of perennial allergic conjunctivitis which persisted during treatment with sodium cromoglycate.

Three members of a family in one generation were affected by a pattern dystrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium. The patients present typical hyperpigmented macular RPE lesions in a butterfly-shaped to (macro-)reticular pattern, and were all asymptomatic. Examination of 26 family members in 3 generations suggests autosomal recessive inheritance. The family showed some cases of congenital deutanomaly, and a female subject presented both disorders.