The presented pilot study compared the effectiveness of combined antibiotic ophthalmic solution (neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate and gramicidin) with a placebo (artificial tear) in the treatment of hordeolum after incision and curettage (I&C). A randomized, placebo-controlled trial with patients and
investigators blinded from the start started from June 2002 to May 2003. Subjects were patients with untreated hordeolum who subsequently underwent I&C at the Ophthalmology Department. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: group A for combined antibiotic ophthalmic solution, and group B for artificial tear containing the antibiotic solution base. Pain score, mass size and duration of cure were recorded before and on the 3rd and 7th day after treatment. The study included 14 patients in each group. Two subjects in group A and three subjects in group B dropped out. There were no statistically significant differences of all outcomes in both groups, even with the intention-to-treat analysis. The conclusion is combined antibiotic ophthalmic solution is not more effective than placebo in the treatment of hordeolum after I&C.

Keywords: Hordeolum, Antibiotic, Artificial tear, Incision and curettage