Effect of flurbiprofen on herpes simplex keratitis in rabbits.

The rabbit ocular model was used to determine if flurbiprofen, a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent, caused exacerbation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Acute ocular HSV infections treated with flurbiprofen (0.1%) or dexamethasone (0.1%) drops four times a day for 10 days were similar in severity and duration as measured by corneal lesions, conjunctivitis, and corneal clouding. Eyes receiving placebo healed more rapidly than eyes treated with either anti-inflammatory drug. This preliminary study suggests that flurbiprofen appears to be comparable with dexamethasone in clinical exacerbation of acute ocular HSV infection.