DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i09.046

Pages: 3733-3737

Rebamipide, an oral mucosal protective agent approved in Japan for gastric mucosal disorders and gastritis has been recently introduced as an ophthalmic solution. Being a mucin secretagogue along with a goblet cell protective property, rebamipide has been proved to relieve symptoms of dry eye. Amongst its various uses implicated, superior limbic keratitis, a rare chronic inflammatory condition is also sited. To investigate the efficacy of 2% Rebamipide eye drops in patients of Superior limbic keratitis (SLK). In a prospective study, 32 eyes from 26 patients with SLK were treated with 2% Rebamipide, instilled as 1 drop in the affected eye, Qid for 4 weeks. Signs and symptoms were evaluated at the beginning of treatment and at 4 weeks. Objective signs were evaluated by fluorescein staining, Tear film breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer’s test and conjunctival impression cytology. Symptoms were evaluated by the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score on a scale of 0 to 100. 27 eyes showed disappearance of SLK, and 5 eyes showed residual fluoroscein staining. TBUT improved for ¬25 eyes (78.12%) and there was improvement in the schirmer’s test results in 22 eyes (68.75%). OSDI score improved in 24 eyes (75%).No adverse effects seen. Conjunctival Goblet cell count increased in 23 (71.8%) eyes. Remission of symptoms was seen in significant no of cases. Study shows that 2% Rebamipide is effective and safe in improving both signs and symptoms of SLK.