ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Ocular allergy is a common disease that is on the rise. Seasonal and perennial conjunctivitis are the most common forms of ocular allergy. Itching, hyperemia, foreign body sensation, irritation, blurred vision or ocular dryness sensations, tearing, and photophobia are the clinical signs observed in patients. A topical antiallergic treatment is prescribed associated with ocular cleaning to contribute to an antigen washing of the ocular surface. Our study aimed to evaluate the use of Supranettes pads as supplementation treatment in children for seasonal or perennial conjunctivitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our prospective study was done in children with a diagnosis of seasonal or perennial clinical ocular allergy. Every symptom was rated from 0 to 4 according to the intensity described by the children and their parents. Twenty children (range, 4-10 years) presenting an ocular allergy were included in the study. A topical antiallergic treatment membrane stabilizer or antihistamine and Supranettes pads were prescribed for ocular cleaning of one randomized selected eye four times a day. Patients were seen in consultation 1 month later to evaluate the treatment. The ocular comfort of each eye, one treated with Supranettes pads and the other not treated by Supranettes pads, was evaluated by the child helped by parents on a graduated self-evaluation scale (range, 0-10). The Mann-Whitney statistical test was used to differentiate the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients, eleven presented seasonal conjunctivitis and nine perennial conjunctivitis. Six of them presented conjunctivitis with a slight to moderate superficial punctuate keratitis. At the consultation on day 28+/-3, patients who were first treated showed clear improvement of clinical signs with the prescribed treatment. The statistical comparison of the two groups confirmed a significant difference (p<0.05) to the advantage of the group using the Supranettes pads. DISCUSSION: Ocular washing is essential in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. The new galenic form of ocular cleaning by physiological serum-impregnated pads is simple to use for children. An objective significant difference is difficult to observe in 1 month. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the importance of the comfort of Supranettes pads evaluated in the treatment of children's conjunctivitis. It confirms the advantage of developing evaluation studies including patient satisfaction and quality of life in ophthalmology.
