Preferred Practice Patterns for Presumed Viral Kerato-Conjunctivitis in Central India

摘要

Introduction: Epidemic viral kerato-conjunctivitis is a common tropical infection. No standard guidelines exist for treating this self limiting illness. Various treatment patterns are prevalent which may be non-scientific. Material and Methods: Ophthalmologists were requested to fill questionnaire based survey to answer related questions to understand the preferred practice patterns in central India. Out of 400 forms, 378 completed forms were analyzed. Results: In a presumed viral disease, moxifloxacin (0.5%) was the most common antibiotic among 62.7% followed by gatifloxacin (0.3%), ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Three hundred and forty two (90%) responders preferred using topical steroids, while 87 % preferred fixed dose combination of antibiotics and steroids. Seventy seven percent doctors prefer to use topical decongestant and lubricating eye drops as supportive therapy. Eighty two percent doctors preferred to use non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents for their patients. Conclusion: Irrational use of higher generation antibiotics is prevalent among ophthalmologists for self limiting presumed viral conjunctivitis. No standard guidelines exist for the same. Topical steroids should be used with extreme caution for ocular diseases.