COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF TACROLIMUS 0.03% OINTMONT VERSUS OLOPATADINE 0.2% EYE DROPS IN THE TREATMENT OF VERNAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS (VKC)

Abstract

Objective:

To compare the percentage change in the objective ocular sign score (OSS) between the Tacrolimus 0.03% ointment & Olopatadine 0.2% eye drops treatment groups in patients of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Methods:

This randomized controlled trial enrolled a total of 122 patients diagnosed with VKC. Patients in Group A received a 0.03% tacrolimus ointment, while those in Group B were administered 0.2% olopatadine eye drops. Both medications were applied twice daily throughout the study period. At week 24, the final examination was performed, and the final OSS value was calculated. These scores were used to compare A and B groups.

Results:

The mean age of included patients was 13.4±5.9 years. Regarding gender, there were 98 (80.3%) male patients and 24 (19.7%) female patients. Baseline OSS score was 9.1±2.1. After 20 weeks of treatment, the percentage reduction in OSS score was 97.2±1.0% in the tacrolimus group versus 81.5±3.5% in the olopatadine group (p-value <0.001).

Conclusion:

According to the results of present study, tacrolimus is superior to olopatadine for the treatment of VKC.