Effects of topical metranidazole in ocular rosacea

Purpose: To determine the indirect ocular effects of facially applied metranidazole in rosacea. Methods: In this prospective study, 20 patients with ocular rosacea and 10 normal reference subjects were involved. Ten patients with ocular rosacea were treated with topical metranidazole for 8 weeks and the other 10 patients with ocular rosacea were observed as controls. Study parameters included impression cytology from upper-bulbar conjunctiva UBQ and inferonasal-interpalpebral conjunctiva (IPC), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer tests, and ocular symptoms and signs. Results: Both UBC and IPC of ocular rosacea patients before treatment showed Grade 1 or greater advanced changes in comparison with the normal eyes. After 8 weeks of facial metranidazole application, improvements in ocular signs and symptoms were observed. TBUT increased to 10.1 +/- 2.8 seconds from 6.4 +/- 2.7 seconds (p < 0.01). Schirmer test values of treated patients and of normal subjects were statistically comparable (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Facial application of topical metranidazole had an indirect treating effect on ocular rosacea.