Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis Medication

  • Author: Ahmed Bawazeer, MB, ChB, FRCS(C); Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 26, 2011
 

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications. The topical steroids dexamethasone, fluorometholone, prednisolone ophthalmic, and rimexolone 1% are used in the treatment of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Topical corticosteroids are a group of anti-inflammatory agents that cause inhibition of the inflammatory response by potentiation of epinephrine vasoconstriction, stabilization of lysosomal membranes, decrease in macrophage movement, prevention of kinin release, interference with lymphocytes and neutrophil function, and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis through inhibition of phospholipase enzyme.

Dexamethasone (Maxidex, Ozurdex)

 

Dexamethasone is used for various allergic and inflammatory diseases. It decreases inflammation by suppressing migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reducing capillary permeability.

Fluorometholone (FML, Flarex, FML Forte)

 

This agent suppresses the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reverses capillary permeability.

Prednisolone ophthalmic (Pred Forte, Omnipred, Pred Mild)

 

Prednisolone ophthalmic decreases inflammation by suppressing migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing increased capillary permeability.

Rimexolone 1% (Vexol)

 

Rimexolone decreases inflammation by suppressing the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing increased capillary permeability.

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Ocular Lubricants

Class Summary

These agents are used for symptomatic relief.

Artificial tears (Refresh Tears, Akwa Tears, Bion Tears, Murine Tears)

 

Artificial tears act to stabilize and thicken the precorneal tear film and prolong tear film breakup time, which occurs with dry eye states.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Ahmed Bawazeer, MB, ChB, FRCS(C)  Associate Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Uveitis and Cornea, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Bawazeer, MB, ChB, FRCS(C) is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

William G Hodge, MD, PhD, FRCSC  Professor and Chair, Ophthalmologist in Chief, Ivey Eye Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario

William G Hodge, MD, PhD, FRCSC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Ontario Medical Association, Quebec Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher J Rapuano, MD  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Cornea Service, Co-Director of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute

Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; Vistakon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; EyeGate Pharma Consulting; Inspire Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Bausch & Lomb Consulting fee Consulting

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References
  1. Romanowski EG, Yates KA, Gordon YJ. Antiviral prophylaxis with twice daily topical cidofovir protects against challenge in the adenovirus type 5/New Zealand rabbit ocular model. Antiviral Res. Dec 2001;52(3):275-80. [Medline].

  2. Hillenkamp J, Reinhard T, Ross RS, Bohringer D, Cartsburg O, Roggendorf M, et al. The effects of cidofovir 1% with and without cyclosporin a 1% as a topical treatment of acute adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis: a controlled clinical pilot study. Ophthalmology. May 2002;109(5):845-50. [Medline].

  3. Yamazaki ES, Ferraz CA, Hazarbassanov RM, Allemann N, Campos M. Phototherapeutic keratectomy for the treatment of corneal opacities after epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol. Jan 2011;151(1):35-43.e1. [Medline].

  4. Sambursky R, Tauber S, Schirra F, Kozich K, Davidson R, Cohen EJ. The RPS adeno detector for diagnosing adenoviral conjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. Oct 2006;113(10):1758-64. [Medline].

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Follicular conjunctivitis and subconjunctival hemorrhage.
Symblepharon secondary to epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.
 
 
 
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