Sodium cromoglycate in management of vernal and chronic allergic conjunctivitis

This study was planned to find out whether there is any beneficial effect in adding the SCG drops in the treatment of patients with vernal or chronic allergic conjunctivitis. Fifty-eight patients, 12 with vernal and 46 with chronic allergic conjunctivitis, who had used basal solutions, local steroids and peroral antihistamines to manage their symptoms were given SCG drops four times daily in addition to the previous treatment. Fifty-three patients became symptomfree and stayed so when local steroids were tapered off. All but three of these 53 patients have been able to discontinue SCG drops after varying treatment periods, but some 10 to 15 patients probably will need medication during the next pollen season.SCG is not the first choice of local treatment in chronic allergic reactions, because many patients' symptoms can be managed with basal solutions and occasional local steroids if the patients are taught the importance of avoidance of allergens and irritating agents. SCG is indicated whenever the allergic symptoms bother the patient continuously and either the causative factor cannot be identified or it cannot be avoided.In vernal conjunctivitis the effect of SCG drops was so marked in every patient that SCG can be recommended as the basic medication of vernal conjunctivitis.Among ophthalmologists both vernal and chronic allergic conjunctivitis are usually considered to be local problems and the general management of allergic reactions gets too little attention. For permanent results the patient has to learn how to manage both the prevention and the treatment of symptoms and in both these aspects SCG was found helpful.