Eczema Treatment linked with Development of Conjunctivitis, reveals study

Key findings of the study were:

• Upon analysis, the researchers identified 20 cases of conjunctivitis (incidence rate, 7.2%) among which, 6 cases reported nonadherence to preventive therapy and were excluded, resulting in an incidence rate of 5%.
• They also observed other ocular outcomes such as nonspecific keratoconjunctivitis associated with dry eye (n=19) and follicular conjunctivitis associated with limbitis (n=1).
• They further noted a history of prior conjunctivitis in 6 patients (42.8%).
• They also noted that the mean EASI score of patients with conjunctivitis was 37, which was higher than the mean EASI score of the total (N=277) cohort.
• The mean time of conjunctivitis onset from the start of therapy was six months (time-lapse, 3 to 14 months).
• Patients with conjunctivitis were treated with cortico-antibiotic eye drops and were recovery except for 2 patients.
• The patient with follicular conjunctivitis required cyclosporine ophthalmic drops.

The authors concluded, "A possible association between facial eczema and conjunctivitis is probable, but more data are needed," and further added, "It is likely that prophylactic therapy, based on trehalose/hyaluroate tear substitute, associated with the treatment for palpebral and facial eczema, worsened dry eye and consequently, conjunctivitis."

For further information:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jdv.17210