Early Treatment of Ocular Varicella Zoster: Steroids vs Antivirals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Are steroids or anti-virals more effective in the treatment of early anterior segment Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) ocular disease: A prospective open-label randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
273424
Contact name
Amelia Davidson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Eudract number
2020-001552-18
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
Infection with the varicella zoster virus (VZV) can affect the trigeminal nerve, supplying the area around the eye (herpes zoster ophthalmicus or HZO). Around 50% of patients with HZO go on to develop related eye problems. Currently, patients are variably treated with topical antivirals and topical steroids, in a variety of combinations and protocols. There is no recent study that has directly compared treatments in terms of efficacy and recurrence rates and no unified best practice.
This study will study the effectiveness of topical dexamethasone and topical ganciclovir in treating ocular complications of VZV. It will include adult patients presenting with their first episode of ophthalmic trigeminal varicella zoster virus (HZO), who are not immunocompromised, pregnant, allergic to the studied products, or suffering with other ocular comorbidities.
The study will run at an NHS ophthalmology department, with follow up lasting 24 months. Participants will be randomised and treated with either 1) Topical ganciclovir 0.15% alone or 2) Current standard of treatment - Topical dexamethasone 0.1% preservative-free, with ganciclovir only if there is epithelial disease.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0295
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion