Povidone-iodine beneficial for viral conjunctivitis patients

A single dose of 5% povidone-iodine improved signs and symptoms in people with adenoviral conjunctivitis and also decreased viral titers, according to a recent study presented at the American Academy of Optometry meeting.

According to Mayo Clinic, conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines the eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they're more visible.

Tammy Than, OD, FAAO, and colleagues conducted this Reducing Adenoviral Patient-Infected Days (RAPID) study -- a double-masked pilot trial in which 56 patients from nine centres who tested positive on an adenoviral immunoassay test (Quidel) and had symptoms for at least 4 days were randomized to receive one in-office dose of either PVP-I or artificial tears. The patients were then evaluated at day 1 or 2, 4, 7, 14 and 21 for clinical signs and self-reported symptoms and conjunctival swab sample was collected for qPCR and IL-8 assays.

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Key findings of the study include:

• Fifty percent of patients that tested positive for the point of care test had confirmed PCR viral titers. Of those 28, 16 had been randomized to receive PVP-I and 12 had been randomized to receive artificial tears.


• At day 4, adenoviral titers in the PVP-I group decreased to 2.5%, while in the artificial tears group they decreased to 14.4%.


• The patients that received PVP-I felt better at day 4.


• Patients given PVP-I reported that eyelid swelling, tearing, redness, eyelash matting and overall discomfort were significantly lower than in the control group.

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"We found that [PVP-I] was well tolerated," Than said, "and found at day 4, we see a trending down of the viral titers and patients feel and look better."

More Information:

Than T, et al. Efficacy of single administration of 5% povidone-iodine in the treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis. Presented at: American Academy of Optometry meeting; Orlando, Fla. October 23-27, 2019.