Montelukast as a New Topical Ocular Therapeutic Agent for Treatment of Allergic Conjunctivitis: an Experimental Comparative Study

The aim of the present investigation is to study the effects of topical ocular montelukast in an animal model of allergic conjunctivitis in rabbits. Eighteen Albino New Zeeland rabbits were used and divided into six groups; three of which served as controls. Allergic conjunctivitis model was induced in the other three groups (IV, V and VI) by topical application of 1000 ^g of compound 48/80 in each eye. Group IV was left untreated while groups V and VI were treated with 0.1% montelukast and 1% prednisolone eye drops respectively. The eye drops were applied before application of the compound. The eyes were evaluated by clinical examination and scoring of the allergic manifestations as well as by light microscopic examination of the conjunctiva. Both montelukast and prednisolone produced improvement of the allergic manifestations detected both clinically and histologically with prednisolone being more effective than montelukast. In conclusion, topical ocular montelukast can be a potential therapeutic drug with a new route of administration that can be used for treatment of allergic conjunctivitis