Department of Ophthalmology
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HEDS
The Herpetic Eye Disease Study (HEDS) is a group of multicenter clinical trials designed to determine the value of oral acyclovir versus placebo in the prevention or the suppression of recurrent herpetic eye disease. Acyclovir is a highly effective antiviral agent that has dramatically changed the treatment of nonocular herpetic infections. Oral acyclovir may be a valuable adjunct to topical antivirals in the treatment of herpetic epithelial keratitis and may be a valuable prophylactic agent in the supression of herpetic eye disease. Criteria for patient eligibility include:
Patients undergo a screening examination, and those found to be eligible are informed about the study. Informed consent is obtained prior to entering the study. Patients entering the study are randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups and return for at least 8 follow-up visits over an 18-month period. Research funds pay for all of the testing that would not be considered a part of the patient's routine care. Study medications are supplied free of charge. You can help this effort by immediately referring a patient who meets eligibility. Patients referred by physicians will be referred back at the end of the study. For more information, contact Dr. Asbell's office. Penny
Asbell, M.D. |
erpetic
Eye Disease is the most common cause of corneal blindness in the United
States. There are approximately 500,000 cases of herpetic eye disease
in the United States each year. Worldwide, up to 10 million people are
affected annually.