Efficacy of 2% Rebamipide Suspension for Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: A Clinical Comparison with Topical Immune Modulators Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare the efficacy of 2% rebamipide suspension with topical cyclosporine and tacrolimus for managing vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) Methods In this prospective, interventional study, 38 patients with moderate to severe VKC were allocated to receive either 2% rebamipide in one eye and 0.03% tacrolimus ointment in the contralateral eye (n = 19) or 2% rebamipide in one eye and 0.05% cyclosporine in the contralateral eye (n = 19) for 12 weeks. Ten ocular signs and 7 symptoms were graded on a scale of 0-3 each for each eye at every visit. Results Total sign and symptom scores reduced significantly in all 4 subgroups (all p’s <0.05) at 12 weeks. Reduction of mean sign scores between rebamipide and tacrolimus (- 4.67 ± 4.63 and - 2.80 ± 3.18 respectively) and between rebamipide and cyclosporine (-6.00 ± 3.74 and -5.42 ± 3.68 respectively) was comparable. Reduction in symptom scores was also comparable between subgroups. Conclusion Our findings suggest that efficacy of topical rebamipide is comparable to topical cyclosporine and tacrolimus for managing moderate to severe VKC and it merits further evaluation as a novel steroid sparing alternative for this disorder.