Is there a role for tapered topical dose steroidal treatment for dry eye disease? A randomized, pilot study.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the effect of tapered doses of loteprednol-etabonate in dry eye disease patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Dry eye and treatment outcomes were assessed by Schirmer I test, tear BUT, lissamine green conjunctival staining, fluorescein corneal staining, and HLA-DR expression on conjunctival cells. Patients received either loteprednol-etabonate 0.5% twice daily for 14 days tapered to once daily for 14 days, and then twice weekly for 28 days (n = 10), or NaCl 0.9%.

RESULTS:

A significant decrease of ocular surface inflammation and improvement of symptoms was recorded in the study group compared with controls at days 14 and 56. Change from baseline in HLA-DR expression in CD45+ conjunctival cells was significantly higher in treated patients at day 14. Intraocular pressure and best corrected visual acuity were preserved in all treated eyes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Tapered doses of loteprednol etabonate 0.5% suspension controlled ocular surface inflammation, improving dry eye symptoms.

• Authors: Stefano Barabino, Elisa Montaldo, Maria Cristina Mingari, Cosimo Mazzotta, Sebastiano Giuffrida, Maurizio Rolando
• Journal: European journal of ophthalmology (Eur J Ophthalmol) Vol. 32 Issue 4 Pg. 2452-2458 (Jul 2022) ISSN: 1724-6016 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 34585595 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• HLA-DR Antigens
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Loteprednol Etabonate

Topics

• Dry Eye Syndromes (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• HLA-DR Antigens (genetics)
• Humans
• Inflammation
• Loteprednol Etabonate (therapeutic use)
• Ophthalmic Solutions (therapeutic use)
• Pilot Projects