Long-term safety of loteprednol etabonate 0.2% in the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis.

PURPOSE

To determine the long-term safety of the topical steroid, loteprednol etabonate 0.2%, in the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 397 patients from three private ophthalmologic practices treating seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis with long-term loteprednol etabonate 0.2% was performed. Chart review of slitlamp findings and intraocular pressure measurements during follow-up visits was performed to determine the incidence of adverse effects, such as steroid-induced intraocular pressure increase, cataract formation, and any other possible topical steroid-induced adverse event. One hundred fifty-nine of the 397 patients had been continuously using loteprednol for more than 12 months.

RESULTS

There were no reported adverse effects of long-term loteprednol etabonate 0.2% use in any of the 159 patients, whose continuous use ranged from a cumulative total of 120 drops per eye to 3,741 drops per eye.

CONCLUSIONS

Loteprednol etabonate 0.2% is a safe topical steroid when used on a long-term basis for the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis.