Effect of Povidone-Iodine in the Treatment of Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis: A Clinical Trail Study

Background and Aim: Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is a type of conjunctivitis caused by adenoviruses that can spread rapidly through direct and indirect contact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of povidone-iodine 0.4% and 0.2% in the improvement of the symptoms and signs of patients with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study included 60 patients with a mean age of 27.8±8.4 years who met our inclusion criteria.The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received povidone-iodine 0.4% and betamethasone 0.1% eye drops the second group received povidone-iodine 0.2% and betamethasone 0.1% eye drops and the third group received betamethasone 0.1% eye drop. Follow-ups visits were on the first, fourth, seventh and tenth days after starting treatment. Parameters examined at each examination were hyperaemia, mucopurulent discharge, eyelid edema, hemorrhage, and subepithelial infiltration. Results: The results showed significant differences in the mucopurulent discharge among the treatment groups on the fourth day (P = 0.005) and also on the seventh day (P = 0.001) of the examination. There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in regard to sub-epithelial infiltration on the tenth day after treatment (P = 0.287). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, povidone-iodine was more effective than steroids alone in relieving some of the signs of EKC, such as mucopurulent discharge.