FP1351 : Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis – Preferred Practice Patterns in central India

Dr.Saroj Gupta, G10559

Epidemic viral keratoconjunctivitis is a common tropical Infection. No standard guidelines exist for treating this self limiting illness. A survey was conducted among one state Ophthalmic Society members .They were requested to fill questionnaire based survey form to understand the preferred practice patterns .Out of 500 forms ,478 completed forms were analyzed. Moxifloxacin (0.5%) was the most common antibiotic among 62.7% followed by gatifloxacin , ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Four 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. Thus irrational use of higher generation antibiotics and steroid was prevalent among ophthalmologists for a self limiting presumed viral conjunctivitis.