Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic Ointment 0.5% for Treatment of Allergic Conjunctivitis

Phase 2 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF HYDROCORTISONE OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT - VERSUS PLACEBO IN THE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of hydrocortisone ophthalmic ointment compared to placebo in the treatment of Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Compare the safety and efficacy of Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic Ointment 0.5% vs. Placebo for the reduction of signs and symptoms associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Demonstration of efficacy is a statistically significant improvement in itching on a 0 to 4 patient subjective assessment itch score compared to the vehicle arm and at least a 25% (or 1 full unit or more) improvement in itch scores. Efficacy for bulbar redness scores would be indicated by a statistically significant improvement in redness on a zero to 4 based on the investigators objective assessment compared to the vehicle group. Differences of at least 25% on the four point scale would be considered clinically significant when attained at the majority of time points.

Inclusion Criteria

a) Diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis. b) Must be at least 18 years of age c) Must be able and willing to comply with all treatment and follow up procedures d) Best corrected visual acuity of 0.3 logMAR or better (Snellen equivalent score of 20/40 or better) in each eye at Visit 1 e) Conjunctival redness score ≥1.5 in at least one eye at Visit 1 f) Subject reported itching assessment >2.0 in at least 1 eye at Visit 1 g) Mean IOP >8 and <24 in each eye h) If female of childbearing potential, are non-lactating and non-pregnant, and must be willing to use an approved birth control method for the duration of the study, and must have a negative urine pregnancy test. (Urine pregnancy test will be conducted at Visit 1 after subject completes Informed Consent Document prior to any study procedures being performed.) 5.4 Exclusion Criteria

1. Unwilling or unable to discontinue use of contact lens during the study

2. Uncontrolled medical conditions that may in the judgment of the investigator confound the study assessments or limit compliance.

3. Known sensitivity to corticosteroids or a known "steroid responder"

4. Known hypersensitivity to the study drugs or the components or contraindications to hydrocortisone ophthalmic ointment

5. Use of any systemic or topical ophthalmic antihistamine agents within 72 hours before visit 1, and that cannot be discontinued during the study

6. Participation in an ophthalmic drug or device research study within 30 days prior to entry in this study.

7. Regular use of systemic or topical ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID), and analgesics

8. Younger than 18 years of age, Male or Female

9. Unwilling to provide written informed consent

10. Unlikely to complete all study visits

11. Patients diagnosed with Glaucoma

12. History of any ocular condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could affect study parameters including, but not limited to, glaucoma, blepharitis, meibomian gland disease, follicular conjunctivitis, and/or active ocular infection or inflammation.

13. Use of any concurrent therapies for allergic conjunctivitis, prescription or over the counter.

14. Prohibited medications include:

    1. topical ophthalmic or systemic corticosteroids
    2. topical ophthalmic/nasal antihistamines (72 hour washout period prior to baseline/screening visit and no use throughout duration of the study)
    3. artificial tears/ocular lubricants (72 hour washout period and no use throughout the duration of the study)
    4. topical ophthalmic/nasal steroids (14 day washout period prior to baseline/screening visit and no use throughout the duration of the study) (Washout period can begin after Informed Consent Document is completed by the subject.)