Abstract :
Background: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic, recurrent, bilateral inflammatory disease of cornea
and conjunctiva affecting young children. Various treatment modalities of VKC are topical mast cell
stabilizers, anti-histaminics, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators.
Aim and Objectives: This study compared the efficacy of bepotastine besilate 1.5% and loteprednol
etabonate 0.5% topical eye drops in subjects with allergic conjunctival disease.
Materials and Methods: The patients were re-examined after 1 week and 2 weeks. At each follow up
visit, best corrected visual acuity, anterior segment examination using slit lamp, tear film examination
(Schirmer’s test and tear film breakup time) and intraocular pressure were measured. Patients were scored
based on severity of signs and symptoms on day 1, 7 and 15.
Results: Itching, tearing, photophobia, upper tarsal papillae, limbus, keratitis and discharge score 1 and
2 for both eyes at day 1, 7 and 15 was significantly more among Bepotastine Besilate 1.5% compared
to Loteprednol Etabonate. The mean IOP for both eyes at day 1, 7 and 15 was significantly more among
Loteprednol Etabonate 0.5% compared to Bepotastine Besilate 1.5%.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that LE was more efficacious than B.B in treating patients of VKC,
but the mean IOP was found to be more in patients on LE.
Keyword :
Conjunctiva, Itching, Photophobia, Tearing, Vernal keratoconjunctivitis.