title: Efficiency of olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and goblet cell density.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of topical 0.1% olopatadine hydrochloride on goblet cell density, clinical signs, and symptoms of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2002 and April 2003, 40 eyes of 20 patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and 10 healthy eyes of 5 control patients were evaluated prospectively and treated with 0.1% olopatadine hydrochloride. Both groups were observed clinically, subjective complaints were recorded, and changes in goblet cell density were obtained with brush cytology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the 2-month therapy, subjective complaints and clinical signs improved with therapy. Also, the clinical signs were improved with the therapy. As the severity of the signs and symptoms were reduced, goblet cell numbers in the brush cytologic specimens were reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% is an effective agent for relieving the signs and symptoms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Also, it reduces the number of goblet cells, which, in turn, decreases the amount of mucus discharge in vernal keratoconjunctivitis during treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. isikcorum@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Işik
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Corum
authors.forename: Bariş
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yeniad
authors.forename: Lale Közer
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Bilgin
authors.forename: Ridvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ilhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003990:Dibenzoxepins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D003990:Dibenzoxepins; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride