Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of long term treatment with preservative free diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drop in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). Methods: A prospective open study was performed in twenty-two patients with VKC, treated with preservative free diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye-drop. Patients have used diclofenac sodium 0.1% preservative free eye-drop four times daily in both eyes for 120 days. Signs (papillae, hyperaemia and corneal lesions) and symptoms (itching, redness and photophobia)of the ocular surface were graded and statistically evaluated before and after treatment by non parametric test (Mann-Whitney U test). Results: Forty per cent of the patients improved their symptoms at the end of the treatment. (Total signs and symptoms score were significantly decreased, p< 0.001, from the baseline values, 6.13 ± 1.45 to 0.81 ± 0.90; 5.40 ± 1.18 to 2.63 ± 0.95 respectively). A significant decrease of conjunctival redness (p<0.001), itching (p<0.001) and photophobia (p<0.001) was observed at the end of treatment. Conjunctiva hyperaemia was significantly reduced (p<0.001) at the end of treatment, while no significant differences were observed for corneal lesions and for papillary size.None of the patients showed exacerbation of the disease during the treatment. Conclusion: VKC is a chronic disease that requires prolonged treatment to control the inflammatory process. Our study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of the treatment with preservative free diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drop in the control of signs and symptoms of VKC in the long term follow up.
Keywords: 357 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials • 366 conjunctivitis • 514 pharmacology