| Presentation preference | Poster presentation |
| Title | Practice patterns in the management of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis among Cornea specialists in India |
| Accept poster if oral is not possible ? | Yes |
| Purpose | Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is one of the commonest immune mediated allergic conditions encountered in our outpatient department. We undertook a survey to understand the practice patterns of in managing VKC and the role of immunomodulator therapy. |
| Methods | This was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was sent to all the members of the Cornea Society of India (CSI). A total of 15 questions were asked about clinical criteria, grading of VKC and management. Microsoft Excel was used for data analysis. |
| Results | Of 1160 members, 86 responses were received. Majority of cornea specialists (79%) used their clinical experience for grading. 48 Practitioners preferred topical antihistaminics for treating symptomatic patients with papillae however 37 respondents also added topical steroids for similar patients. Loteprednol was the most preferred topical steroid chosen by 56% participants. 79% respondents used topical steroid in the active phase only. Tacrolimus was the most frequently prescribed immunomodulator among 78% cornea specialists, followed by cyclosporine. Practitioners in government setting (70%) were more likely to use oral steroids for systemic immunosuppression. Specialists with experience <10 years were more likely to use oral cyclosporine as the preferred immunomodulator over systemic steroids.
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| Conclusion | With a better understanding of steroid sparing agents we can see a shift from corticosteroids to immunomodulators. The practice setting has a significant effect on the choice of oral immunomodulators. |
| Conflict of interest | No |
1
| Last name | MURTHY |
| Initials of first name(s) | S I |
| Department | Cornea and Uveitis |
| City | Mumbai |
| Country | India |
2
| Last name | Nagpal |
| Initials of first name(s) | V |
| Department | Cornea |
| City | Mumbai |
| Country | India |
