Efficiency of olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and goblet cell density.
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.
Corum
Işik
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. isikcorum@hotmail.com
Yeniad
Bariş
B
Bilgin
Lale Közer
LK
Ilhan
Ridvan
R
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
D003990:Dibenzoxepins; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D000069605:Olopatadine Hydrochloride