SUPRATARSAL INJECTION OF TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY VERNAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS

BACKGROUND—Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) cases are often resistant to conventional treatments. We aimed to assess the effect of supratarsal injection of triamcinolone acetonide in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS—Sixteen patients (32 eyes) with severe VKC, and resistant to conventional method of treatments were selected and underwent injection of 0.5 mL triamcinolone acetonide in supratarsal area (in conjuctival side of upper lid) and were followed up for 54 months. The results were analyzed with SPSS program with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS—Relief of symptoms (burning, itching, lacrimation and photophobia, ropy discharge) was dramatically seen in all patients, in first few days. Size of giant papillae, thickening of limbus, vascularization of cornea (pannus) decreased in the first month. Recurrence of disease was seen in 2 (12.5%) patients after one month. No complication was noticed during the follow up. All patients tolerated the treatment well. CONCLUSION—Rapid and dramatic symptomatic and clinical response, and lack of complications suggest that supratarsal injection of triamcinolone acetonide could be a thrapeutic approach for refractory VKC.