Journal of Ocular Biology
Research Article
Expert Perspectives on the Clinical Practices and Treatment Preferences in the Management of Allergic Conjunctivitis in Indian Settings
Manjula S* and Krishna Kumar M
Department of Medical Services, Micro Labs Limited, Bangalore,
Karnataka, India
*Address for Correspondence:Manjula S, Department of Medical Services, Micro Labs Limited,
Bangalore, Karnataka, India Email Id: drmanjulas@gmail.com
Submission: 20 May, 2025
Accepted: 03 July, 2025
Published: 07 July, 2025
Copyright: © 2025 Manjula S, et al. This is an open access article
distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited
Keywords:Allergic conjunctivitis; Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis;
Perennial Allergic Conjunctivitis; Antihistamines; Alcaftadine;
Fluorometholone; Loteprednol
Abstract
Objective: To assess the clinical practice and treatment
preferences in allergic conjunctivitis (AC) among ophthalmologists in
Indian healthcare settings.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included ophthalmologists practicing in India. A multiple-response questionnaire comprising 23 questions was employed to collect feedback, clinical observations, and experiences related to the management of AC and the routine use of antihistamines. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The study included 212 participants, and the majority of them (34.91%) preferred alcaftadine for treating AC in children. Half (50%) of the respondents identified alcaftadine as their antihistamine of choice in routine practice. For managing AC in adults, around 36% favored topical steroids such as fluorometholone or loteprednol. In severe cases, approximately 59% preferred these topical steroids as add-on therapy. Alcaftadine was selected by 38% as the preferred treatment for seasonal AC (SAC) and perennial AC (PAC). For vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), 57% favored topical steroids like fluorometholone or loteprednol, while 50% preferred them for atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC). In refractory cases of VKC or AKC, 43% preferred loteprednol. Additionally, more than half (52.83%) preferred alcaftadine for treating AC in lactating women.
Conclusion: This study highlights distinct clinician preferences in the management of AC. Alcaftadine was favored for children, SAC/ PAC, and lactating women, while topical steroids (fluorometholone and loteprednol) were preferred for adults and severe cases, including VKC and AKC. Loteprednol was particularly preferred in refractory VKC/AKC cases.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included ophthalmologists practicing in India. A multiple-response questionnaire comprising 23 questions was employed to collect feedback, clinical observations, and experiences related to the management of AC and the routine use of antihistamines. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The study included 212 participants, and the majority of them (34.91%) preferred alcaftadine for treating AC in children. Half (50%) of the respondents identified alcaftadine as their antihistamine of choice in routine practice. For managing AC in adults, around 36% favored topical steroids such as fluorometholone or loteprednol. In severe cases, approximately 59% preferred these topical steroids as add-on therapy. Alcaftadine was selected by 38% as the preferred treatment for seasonal AC (SAC) and perennial AC (PAC). For vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), 57% favored topical steroids like fluorometholone or loteprednol, while 50% preferred them for atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC). In refractory cases of VKC or AKC, 43% preferred loteprednol. Additionally, more than half (52.83%) preferred alcaftadine for treating AC in lactating women.
Conclusion: This study highlights distinct clinician preferences in the management of AC. Alcaftadine was favored for children, SAC/ PAC, and lactating women, while topical steroids (fluorometholone and loteprednol) were preferred for adults and severe cases, including VKC and AKC. Loteprednol was particularly preferred in refractory VKC/AKC cases.