Effect of Desonide 0.25% Ophthalmic Solution on Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure of Patients with Allergic Conjunctivitis

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate whether a significant difference exists between the initial and final mean central corneal thickness that might affect Goldmann applanation tonometer recordings of patients with allergic conjunctivitis treated with desonide 0.25% ophthalmic solution, and to determine the effect of desonide on intraocular pressure by using adjusted intraocular pressure values.Methods: This double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial enrolled 30 patients (60 eyes) with allergic conjunctivitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive desonide to 1 eye (study eye) and preservative-free tear supplement (Tears Naturale Free®) to the other eye (control eye) 3 times daily for 3 weeks. Goldmann applanation tonometry and central corneal thickness of both eyes were recorded on the day of presentation and 3 weeks later.Results: Regression of itching, tearing, conjunctival hyperaemia, and tarsal conjunctival papillary reaction were noted in the study eyes after 3 weeks of treatment. The control eyes showed mild regression of pruritis, tearing, conjunctival hyperaemia, and tarsal conjunctival papillary reaction after 3 weeks. There was a significant difference between the initial and final mean central corneal thickness values for the study eyes (p = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences between the initial and final mean values of Goldmann applanation tonometry and adjusted intraocular pressure for the study eyes. No statistically significant differences were found between the initial and final mean values of any of the parameters for the control eyes.Conclusion: Inflammation-induced increase in central corneal thickness of patients with allergic conjunctivitis treated with desonide showed statistically significant regression. However, this regression did not significantly affect Goldmann applanation tonometry and adjusted intraocular pressure values of the treated eyes.