Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group
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2021 OMIG Abstract

Topical Steroids to The Superior Bulbar Conjunctiva for The Treatment of
Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis (SLK)

Kelly A. Kiser, Augustine R. Hong, Anthony Lubniewski, Andrew J.W. Huang, and Todd P. Margolis
John F. Hardesty MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

Purpose: To review outcomes of topical corticosteroids applied directly to the superior bulbar conjunctiva in patients with superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) from 2014 to 2020.

Methods: In this retrospective chart review, charts were queried for patients diagnosed with SLK in the ophthalmology faculty practice at Washington University in St Louis between 2014 and 2020. The study was approved by Washington University Human Research Protection Office. Patients qualified for the study were first de-identified. Data collected from the medical records included patient demographic characteristics, ocular comorbidities, all prior treatments, and all concurrent treatments used in combination with topical corticosteroids. We also collected time to follow up, subjective improvement in symptoms, and adverse events related to the treatment.

Results: Forty-eight eyes of 26 patients initially met criteria for the conventional treatment group. In addition, 52 eyes of 28 patients were included in the study group in which the patients were taught how to effectively apply a topical corticosteroid drop directly to the superior bulbar conjunctiva. Fifteen of the 26 patients (58%) of standard treatment group had a satisfactory response, defined as both subjective improvement in comfort and objective improvement on clinical examination. Of the 28 patients in the study group, 27 patients (96%), including 10 of 11 patients with symptoms refractory to conventional drop application, had a satisfactory response to treatment.

Conclusions: The results of our study support our clinical observation that application of topical steroids directly onto the superior bulbar conjunctiva is a better and relatively effective approach to managing SLK.

Disclosure: N

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