Supratarsal Injection of Triamcinolone for Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

 Purpose: To find out safety and effectiveness of supratarsal injection of Triamcinolone in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Material and Methods: This study was conducted from 1st February 2006 to 15th July 2007 in Department of Ophthalmology BVH, Bahawalpur. Eight hundred and eighty eyes of 440 diagnosed patients of VKC, of either sex and all ages were included in the study. Patients with raised IOP, post-herpetic corneal scar, tightly closed eyelids were excluded from the study. It was a prospective, uncontrolled trial. The patients were enrolled and given the first supratarsal injection of Triamcinolone. Their record was maintained and all the patients were followed up for obtaining the data about effectiveness and side effects of therapy.

Results: We treated 880 eyes of 440 patients, out of which 81.82% were males. Mean age was 16 years (Range: 2—42 years). All of the patients had itching of eyes and the rest of the clinical features were redness, cobble-stone papillae and Tranta's dots. Mean duration of disease was 18 weeks (Range: 4 weeks to 6 months). Patients were followed up and multiple injections were given to control the disease. Transient redness was most common among the side effects of injection therapy. Study shows 100% effectiveness of supratarsal injection of Triamcinolone acetonide in VKC although recurrence was seen.

Conclusions: Supratarsal injection of Triamcinolone is safe, cost-effective and simple way of management of VKC. Curative treatment for VKC still remains elusive.