Comparative Study between Olopatadine 0.1% and Cyclosporine 0.05% Eye Drops in Children with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.

Abstract

Ocular allergy is a frequently encountered pathology in ophthalmological practice, with an increase in number of patients noticed in the recent years. VKC is in response to non‑specific allergens and is mediated mainly by Th2 cells, but mast cells and eosinophils also play a major role. Various causes have been considered for the disease such as genetics, air pollution, pollens and pets.Avoidance of allergens and hygiene plays a key role in the management of VKC.The main aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of cyclosporine (0.05%) and olopatadine (0.1%) in VKC in children in a tertiary health care centre. Around 20 patients (40 eyes) with VKC who visited Ophthalmology Out-Patient department of a tertiary care hospital from May 2019 to August 2019. They were divided into 2 groups and advised for instillation of drops twice daily for 4 weeks and patients were assessed on 7th, 14th, & 28th day. Although there was significant reduction in subjective symptom (p<0.05) and objective sign score (p<0.01) at 2 weeks and 1 month of follow up when compared with baseline values. There was no difference in subjective symptom and objective signs score between the two groups at any of the follow up visits.In the course of the treatment in patients with VKC, both cyclosporine 0.05%and olopatadine 0.1%were found to be equally effective in alleviating signs and symptoms of VKC.