Theropeutic responses in vernal keratoconjuctivitis

This was a single-blind placebo controlled study conduct at the Muhimbili Medical Centre between March 1989 and May 1989. It involved 60 patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis, ocular allergic inflammatory condition of world-wide distribution, involving mainly the conjunctiva and the cornea. The objective of the study was to find out the most efficacious therapeutic method in alleviating the signs a symptoms of the disease in our environment since different authorities from different parts of the world have claimed success in using different therapeutic methods. The patients were randomly selected into four (4) groups each subjected to a different therapeutic method. The four groups were: (i) placebo (ii) cryotherapy (iii) oral aspirin a {vi) steroid-antibiotic. The intensity of signs and symptoms were graded using a prepared score table. The higher the score the more intense the disease was. After initial assessment, the patients were subjected to their respective therapies and signs and symptoms assessed and graded first weekly then twice weekly. The mean follow up period was 4 weeks. The odds-rat method was used to assess the effectivity of the drugs with respect to placebo. Cryotherapy was found to be the most effective therapeutic method in alleviating signs and symptoms of the disease compared to other drugs used. A recommendation is made that patients with intractal vernal keratoconjunctivitis should be subjected to cryotherapy for relief of signs and symptoms.