Comparison of Fluorometholone 0.1% and Cyclosporine 0.05% in the Treatment of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of Fluorometholone 0.1% and Cyclosporine 0.05% in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from December 2020 to June 2021. Methods: This study includes 104 patients divided into 2 groups. Patients in Group A were given topical Fluorometholone 0.1% while group B were given topical Cyclosporine 0.05%. Signs and symptoms were graded from scale 0-10 at the start of treatment and then at day 7,14 and 30. Drug was considered effective if the final score was equal to or less than 3 at day 30. Results: Mean age of the patients was 9.96±2.722 years in group A and 10.02±2.790years in group B. Mean baseline score was 6.90±0.721 in group A and 5.87±0.768in group B. In group A, 45 (86.5%) patients showed effectiveness while in group B, 36 (69.2%) patients showed effective results. Fluorometholone gave superior results as compared to Cyclosporine in patients with severe disease i.e., baseline score ≥ 6.Systemic allergic associations were noted in44.2% patients in group A and 36.5% patients in group B. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Fluorometholone may be a preferable treatment option for vernal keratoconjunctivitis, particularly in cases of more severe disease. However, considerations regarding systemic allergic associations should also be taken into account when making treatment decisions.