[Nonpreserved topical steroids and lacrimal punctal occlusion for severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca]

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the efficacy of topical nonpreserved steroids before punctal occlusion in the treatment of severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Methods: We performed a prospective study including 15 patients, 30 eyes, (group 1) treated with topical nonpreserved steroids for 2 weeks and then punctal occlusion, and 15 patients, 30 eyes, (group 2) treated directly with punctal occlusion. Symptom severity (0-3+) and corneal fluorescein staining (0-9+) were evaluated after a week and after two months, and results were statistically compared between both groups with the t Student test.

Results: Symptom severity was negative in 67% of patients of group 1 and in 27% of patients of group 2 (p=0.0001 ) after a week, and in 80% of patients in group 1 and in 33% of patients of group 2 (p=0.0003) after 2 months. Corneal fluorescein staining was negative in 67% (OD) and 73% (OI) of patients of group 1 and in 33% (AO) of patients of group 2 (p=0.0001, AO) after a week, and in 80% (AO) of patients of group 1 and in 60% of patients of group 2 (AO) (p=0.0001, AO) after 2 months. There were no patients with side effects or complications.

Conclusions: Topical nonpreserved steroid therapy for two weeks before punctal occlusion is effective in controlling symptoms and corneal fluorescein staining in patients with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca associated with Sjögren's syndrome.