A Comparison of Safety and Efficacy Between Sodium Cromoglycate 2% and Fluorometholone 0.1% in Management of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of sodium cromoglycate 2% eye drops with fluorometholone 0.1% eye drops in patients with bilateral vernal keratoconjunctivitis (limbal and conjunctival palpebral or mixed).

Study Design: Quasi Experimental Study

Place and duration of Study: This study was carried out in Department of Ophthalmology, Combined Military Hospital, Multan from 20^th May 2009 to 20^th June 2009.

Patients and Methods: This was hospital based study conducted on 60 diagnosed cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis attending the OPD of Eye Department Combined Military Hospital, Multan in year 2009. Cases were divided in to two groups of 30 patients each. Group 2 was treated with sodium Cromoglycate while Group 1 was given Fluoro metholone 0.1%. Ocular complaints were noted and graded. Slit lamp examination was done at the start of treatment and at the end of the treatment.

Results: After first week of treatment in group 2 (sodium cromoglycate 2%) 22 patients had mucoidal discharge with photophobia, redness and itching while in group 1 (Fluorometholone 0.1%) none of the patient had mucoidal discharge. At the end of study 24 patients had itching, redness and photophobia in group 2 but in group 1 only 16 patients had these symptoms. It was also revealed that 6 patients in group 2 had watering and mucoid discharge but none of the patient in group 1 had watering and mucoid discharge at the end of study. (p < 0.001 )

Conclusion: Patients treated with fluorometholone 0.1% got better results than patients treated with sodium cromoglycate 2% in the management of vernal Keratoconjunctivitis