Topical rebamipide as ‘add-on’ therapy for vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Medical Cornea

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 3

First Author: : C.Malhotra INDIA

Co Author(s): :    H. Yadav   A. Jain   A. Gupta   J. Ram              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine the effectiveness of 2% topical rebamipide as ‘add on’ therapy in cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC)not adequately controlled by olopatadine.

Setting:

Cornea Services, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research , Chandigarh, India.

Methods:

In this prospective, interventional, open label study, patients suffering from bilaterally symmetric, moderate to severe VKC and not adequately controlled on olopatadine were treated with 2% topical rebamipide instilled four times/day for 12 weeks  as an ‘add on’therapy. Rebamipide therapy was initiated only in one eye per patient. Parameters evaluated at the end of 3 months included change from baseline  in total symptom score (TSyS), total sign score (TSiS)  and tear film break up time (TBUT).

Results:

The study included 38 eyes of 38 patients. TSyS decreased significantly by 6.47 ± 5.04 units (11.97± 4.71units at baseline;5.50 ± 4.12units at 3 months ( p<0.01). TSiS also decreased significantly by 5.41 ± 4.14 units ( 10.28 ± 4.73 units at baseline;  4.67 ± 3.74 units  at 3 months(p<0.01). TBUT improved i.e. increased by 0.94 ±  2.79 seconds though the change did not achieve statistical significance ( p=0.07).Individual evaluation for  majority of  clinical signs also revealed  significant improvement  (p<0.01 for palpebral papillae  and edema, bulbar hyperemia and chemosis, Horner Trantas dots and limbal swelling; p<0.05 for giant papillae).

Conclusions:

Two percent topical rebamipide as an ‘add on‘ therapy to olopatadine was  efficacious in managing moderate to severe VKC; its role as primary therapy however needs further evaluation.

Financial Disclosure:

None