Clinical course and treatment of chronic conjunctivitis in the Southern Aral Sea region

Abstract

Purpose. Optimization of treatment of chronic conjunctivitis in the Southern Aral Sea region. Material and Methods. The research included 62 patients (120 eyes) with chronic conjunctivitis, aged 35–62 years, who had been observed in a polyclinic for the last 3 years, with signs of DES. All studied patients were divided into 2 groups by random sampling after preliminary adequate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy; The control group (20 patients, 40 eyes) was instilled with an antiseptic - Tsinosol (composition: zinc sulphate, boric acid, Aseptic), 2 drops 3 times a day, for 30 days. In the main group (40 patients, 80 eyes), patients were instilled with an antiseptic - Tsinosol (2 drops 3 times a day) and an artificial tear (AT) medicine - Keratrop (composition: sodium carmellose, glycerin, levocarnitine, erythrolfirma Aseptica), 2 drops 3 times a day for a month. All patients underwent standard ophthalmological tests, and special studies were carried out to verify DES, including tests by Schirmer, Norn, Jones, the height of the lower lacrimal meniscus and the severity of the conjunctival fold were determined. Results. Studies have shown that in the main group, both subjective and objective signs of the disease significantly decreased compared with the baseline and with the data of the control group, and a significant improvement in the stability of the tear film was noted. Conclusion. To optimize the therapy of secondary DES, it is necessary to include in the treatment regimen AT medicines in general and the domestic medicine Keratrop in particular, as the medicine of choice in this region. Keywords: Southern Aral Sea region, environment, chronic conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome (DES), DES treatment, tear substitutes