Posters

2% topical rebamipide vs 0.03% tacrolimus ointment in managing moderate-to-severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Poster Details

First Author: C.Malhotra INDIA

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

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare the efficacy of 2% topical rebamipide eye drops with 0.03% tacrolimus ointment  in cases of moderate to severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) not adequately controlled by a dual acting mast cell stabilizer and antihistaminic .

Setting:

Prospective, randomized,  interventional , open label study conducted  at the Cornea Services, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research , Chandigarh, India.

Methods:

Patients aged 9 years or older, suffering from bilaterally symmetric, moderate to severe VKC and inadequately controlled on a dual acting mast cell stabilizer and antihistaminic (olopatadine eye drops 2 times/ day) were treated with 2% topical rebamipide 4times/day in one eye  (Group A) and 0.03% tacrolimus ointment twice a day in the contralateral eye  (Group B )for a duration of 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures included change from baseline in total symptom score (TSyS) and total sign score (TSiS) ;secondary outcome measures evaluated were  change in tear break up time (TBUT) and Schirmer I score .

Results:

The study included 19 patients between the ages of 9-28years . TSyS decreased significantly but comparably (p=0.60) in both groups at 12 weeks [mean decrease  5.93 ± 4.93 units (p<0.01) in group A;   mean decrease 5.33 ± 5.13  units (p<0.01) in group B] . TSiS also decreased significantly but comparably (p=0.21) in both groups at 12 weeks [mean decrease  4.67 ± 4.63 units (p<0.01) in group A ; mean decrease 2.80 ± 3.18 (p<0.01) in group B]. TBUT and Schirmer I score did not show significant within group or between group change at 12 weeks ( all P’s >0.05).

Conclusions:

Two percent topical rebamipide had similar efficacy when compared to 0.03% tacrolimus in reducing both the subjective symptoms and objective signs of  moderate to severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Rebamipide can thus prove to be another useful pharmacological agent in the armamentarium of drugs available for management of this complex disorder, both as a primary therapy as well as a supplement to other agents in more severe and recalcitrant cases.

Financial Disclosure:

None