Superficial Herpetic Keratitis Treated with 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine.

THE results of treating herpetic keratitis with the antiviral agent 5-iodo-2'deoxyuridine have proved, after initial enthusiasm, to be somewhat variable. In most instances the number of cases analysed has been small (Bennett, 1962; Corrigan, Gilkes, and Roberts, 1962; Davidson, 1962; Kaufman and Maloney, 1962; Luntz and MacCallum, 1963). More accurate conclusions can best be reached by a doubleblind trial (Patterson, Fox, Davies, Maguire, Sellors, Wright, Rice, Cobb, and Jones, 1963) and the evaluation of a large series of patients. That IDU is effective cannot be seriously doubted, but its comparative value and its toxicity must be watched. For these reasons it was decided to analyse the results of a large series and in particular to look for the causes of failure.