Supratarsal injection of triamcinolone for severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis in children

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the use of supratarsal injection of triamcinolone acetonide in severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children. Methods: Patients included in this open clinical trial were those with severe VKC-associated with keratitis, gelatinous limbal infiltrates, and/or giant papillae, with a history of recurrence and resistance to conventional topical antiallergic agents. Patients were treated with a supratarsal injection of 20 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Results: Analysis included 27 injections in 23 eyes of 17 patients with severe allergic keratoconjunctivitis. Mean age was 12.3 (range: 7-19) years. Mean follow-up time was 39.3 months (SD=19.21). In the 17 patients, the disease was successfully controlled for an average of 3.6 months (range: 1-16), during which allergy symptoms and signs were significantly improved, with complete resolution of lid edema and conjunctival chemosis, significant decline of pannus and keratitis, and reduction of giant papillae size. Conclusion: Treatment of severe, acute VKC in children with supratarsal injection of 20 mg triamcinolone acetonide showed satisfactory results and was well tolerated by patients; it may therefore constitute a safe option for severe and challenging cases. While full disease remission was not achieved, a significant improvement was found in ocular allergy symptoms and signs, with a reduction in the frequency of acute recurrences.