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Br J Ophthalmol 2007;91:1656-1661 doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.122044
  • Extended report
    • Clinical science - Extended reports

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials on topical treatments for vernal keratoconjunctivitis

  1. F Mantelli1,
  2. M S Santos2,
  3. T Petitti3,
  4. R Sgrulletta1,
  5. M Cortes1,
  6. A Lambiase1,
  7. S Bonini1
  1. 1
    CIR Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Italy
  2. 2
    Vision Institute, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
  3. 3
    Department of Statistics, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Italy
  1. Professor S Bonini, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rome “Campus Bio-Medico”, Via Emilio Longoni 83, 00155 Rome, Italy; s.bonini{at}unicampus.it
  • Accepted 7 June 2007
  • Published Online First 22 June 2007

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of currently available topical drugs for vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) through a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials (RCTs).

Methods: Twenty-seven RCTs (n = 2184 eyes) that had evaluated the efficacy of topical drugs for the treatment of VKC were selected according to the set criteria; 10 of these trials were suitable for statistical analysis and were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Articles published up to December 2005 were identified from the following data sources: Medline, Embase, Lilacs, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and references from relevant articles. Articles in any language published with an English abstract, were screened, and those selected for inclusion were written in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish. The quality of the trials was assessed by the Delphi list. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA® software.

Results: A significant improvement in all signs and symptoms, except photophobia, was observed after topical treatment for active VKC, independent of the type of treatment. Comparison of the efficacy of different drugs was not possible due to a lack of standardised criteria among studies.

Conclusion: The currently available topical drugs are effective in treating acute phases of VKC. However, there is a lack of evidence to support the recommendation of one specific type of medication for treating this disorder. There is a need for standard criteria to assess diagnosis and therapy based on severity. There is also a need for RCTs assessing long-term effects of single drugs to control the disease and to prevent complications.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Financial support: None.

  • Abbreviations:
    NSAID

    non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

    RCT

    randomised clinical trial

    VKC

    vernal keratoconjunctivitis

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