Open AccessVernal Keratoconjunctivitis- A Survey on Practice Patterns and Perspectives of Indian Ophthalmologists
Author(s) -
Shwetha N Chandranna,
R. Balagopal,
Santosh Achappa,
Kaushal Kumar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2021/48699.14786
Subject(s) - vernal keratoconjunctivitis , medicine , allergic conjunctivitis , grading (engineering) , statistical software , family medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , disease , statistical analysis , dermatology , allergy , immunology , nursing , civil engineering , software engineering , engineering , statistics , mathematics
Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a common chronic allergic condition mostly affecting children and their childhood. At present, the choice of medication varies greatly for the same severity of disease from one ophthalmologist to another. A standardised grading system and a comprehensive approach towards VKC including Quality of Life (QOL) assessment is the need of the hour. Aim: To learn the practice patterns and perspectives of Indian Ophthalmologists in the management of VKC and to propose strategies for the holistic approach. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2020. A semi-structured questionnaire was sent via Google form to 200 ophthalmologists. Statistical analysis used: Data was entered in excel and analysis was performed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20. Results: Out of 200 ophthalmologists, 146 (73%) participated in the survey. Among the participants, 43.8% used combination therapy in the management of VKC and 68.5% resorted to steroid therapy in severe cases. Tacrolimus (0.03%) was the most preferred immunomodulator among 56% ophthalmologists and only 11% assessed QOL in the patients periodically. Conclusion: Majority (around 2/3rd) felt immunotherapy and vitamin D supplementation can be tried in the management of VKC and there was a consensus on administering a QOL questionnaire in all patients with VKC in future which would provide holistic care.