Topical loteprednol etabonate 0.5 % for treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis: efficacy and safety

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of loteprednol etabonate (LE) 0.5 % in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) patients compared to prednisolone and fluorometholone. Methods The patients were randomized into three groups: the loteprednol group, prednisolone group and fluorometholone group. Medications were administered four times daily, for a total of 28 days. Before starting treatment and at each visit thereafter, the major symptoms and signs of VKC were recorded and graded as 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate) or 3 (severe). Adverse event reports including elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded. Results There were no significant differences among the groups concerning baseline mean scores of signs and symptoms, which gradually improved in all except for pannus formation in the fluorometholone group. However, all signs and symptoms (except for chemosis) were significantly less improved in the eyes of the fluorometholone group compared with the other groups at each control visit. There was significant IOP elevation after the day 3 visit in the prednisolone group only. Conclusion LE was as effective as prednisolone and more effective than fluorometholone, and it had no side effects during the short-term treatment of VKC patients.