Inhibition of 5 ‐ fluorouracil‐induced ocular irritation by ocular ice packs

Background. This clinical trial was developed to determine whether ocular ice pack therapy would decrease 5‐fluorouracil(5‐FU)‐induced ocular toxicity. Methods. Sixty‐two patients who suffered from 5‐FU‐induced ocular toxicity, and were scheduled to receive another cycle of the chemotherapy that caused the ocular toxicity, were entered in this clinical trial. A randomized, crossover design was used, with patients documenting their ocular toxicity by the use of daily diaries. Results. The results from the first cycle of treatment suggested that ocular ice pack therapy decreased 5‐FU‐induced ocular toxicity ( P = 0.056). The 38 evaluable patients in the crossover analyses demonstrated decreased ocular toxicity with ocular ice pack therapy (p = .001). The ocular ice pack therapy was well tolerated by most of the study participants. Conclusion. Ocular ice pack therapy appears to lessen 5‐FU‐induced ocular toxicity to a clinically moderate degree. Better methods for decreasing 5‐FU‐induced ocular toxicity are necessary.