Efficacy of supratarsal dexamethasone versus triamcinolone injection in recalcitrant vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of supratarsal injection of short acting dexamethasone sodium phosphate versus intermediate acting triamcinolone acetonide as a new therapeutic modality for treating eyes with recalcitrant vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).


METHODS
The study was a prospective, randomized, double blind, case controlled trial, including 38 eyes of 19 patients with recalcitrant VKC. Except for two initial patients who received supratarsal injection of triamcinolone acetonide in both the eyes, one eye of each patient was randomly assigned to receive either 2 mg of dexamethasone sodium phosphate or 20 mg of triamcinolone acetonide.


RESULTS
Both the drugs were equally effective with no statistically significant difference in the mean time of resolution of cobblestone papillae, limbal edema, shield ulcer, SPK and relief of symptoms. The recurrence rate of disease was, however, lower following triamcinolone acetonide injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Supratarsal injection of corticosteroid is a cheap, effective and safe modality of treatment for managing eyes with recalcitrant VKC. Both short acting dexamethasone and intermediate acting triamcinolone acetonide are equally effective.
Saini
J S
JS
Department of Ophthalmology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. medinst@pgi.chd.nic.in
Gupta
A
A
Pandey
S K
SK
Gupta
V
V
Gupta
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005143:Eyelids; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012621:Seasons; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide