Comparison of Topical Steroid Drops with Cyclosporin Eye Drops in the Treatment of Corneal Subepithelial Infiltrates in Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis

Aim: To assess and compare the incidence of recurrence of sub epithelial corneal infiltrates in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis after cessation of topical steroid Vs cyclosporin eye drops. Method: This study was conducted at CMH Kharian from Jan 2017 to June 2018. The patients were divided into two groups using nonprobability lottery method. Group A included those who received topical steroid drops and group B received topical Cyclosporine eye drops. A total of 88 patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Patients in group A were started with topical Loteprednol eye drops eight hourly and those of group B were started with topical Cyclosporine 0.05% eye drops eight hourly. The patients were followed up at two, four, eight and 12 weeks. Results: The SEIs resolved in both the groups by week 12, however the resolution was slightly quicker in group A. The SEIs resolved in about 84.1% of cases in group A and in 70.4% cases in group B at the end of 4 weeks. The incidence of recurrence was higher in group A being 11.3%(5 patients) while it was 2(4.5%) in group B Conclusion: Cyclosporine eye drops are a safe and effective treatment of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis related SEIs, with an added advantage of reducing incidence of recurrence.