Comparison of the efficacy and safety of bepotastine besilate 1.5% and loteprednol etabonate 0.5% ophthalmic solution in patients of vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic, recurrent, bilateral inflammatory disease of cornea and conjunctiva affecting young children. Various treatment modalities of VKC are topical mast cell stabilizers, anti-histaminics, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators. This study compared the efficacy of bepotastine besilate 1.5% and loteprednol etabonate 0.5% topical eye drops in subjects with allergic conjunctival disease. The patients were re-examined after 1 week and 2 weeks. At each follow up visit, best corrected visual acuity, anterior segment examination using slit lamp, tear film examination (Schirmer’s test and tear film breakup time) and intraocular pressure were measured. Patients were scored based on severity of signs and symptoms on day 1, 7 and 15. Itching, tearing, photophobia, upper tarsal papillae, limbus, keratitis and discharge score 1 and 2 for both eyes at day 1, 7 and 15 was significantly more among Bepotastine Besilate 1.5% compared to Loteprednol Etabonate. The mean IOP for both eyes at day 1, 7 and 15 was significantly more among Loteprednol Etabonate 0.5% compared to Bepotastine Besilate 1.5%.: This study demonstrated that LE was more efficacious than B.B in treating patients of VKC, but the mean IOP was found to be more in patients on LE.