Concurrent use of 5% natamycin and 2% econazole for the management of fungal keratitis.

PURPOSE: To determine if concurrent use of 5% natamycin and 2% econazole offers greater benefits than monotherapy with 5% natamycin for the management of fungal keratitis.

METHODS

Subjects presenting to the cornea service were treated with 5% natamycin and 2% econazole used concurrently. We compared the results with a historical control of patients treated with 5% natamycin in the same calendar year. The same clinical and examination protocol including inclusion and exclusion criteria was used for both groups.

RESULTS

We compared results of 47 subjects on concurrent use of 5% natamycin and 2% econazole with all 53 subjects who had received 5% natamycin in a previous study (historical controls). Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. There were no significant differences (P=0.9) between the 2 arms for success (defined as a healed or healing ulcer).

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent use of 5% natamycin and 2% econazole does not appear to offer additional benefits over monotherapy with 5% natamycin for the management of fungal keratitis.