Comparative study of the efficacy and safety of olopatadine eyedrops and sodium cromoglycate in clinical practice: a prospective study

Background: Allergic eye diseases are the commonest causes of ocular morbidity worldwide. To choose the best therapy in allergic conjunctivitis, understanding of underlying mechanisms implicated in triggering the allergy is very important. Olopatadine with a wide spectrum has proven to be very effective in allergic conjunctivitis. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ophthalmic solutions of olopatadine 0.2% once daily, olopatadine 0.1% twice daily and sodium cromoglycate 2% four times daily in allergic conjunctivitis for 3 weeks.Methods: This was a prospective, single centre study enrolling 304 patients with allergic conjunctivitis attending ophthalmology clinics. Subjects were assessed for ocular signs and symptoms at 3 visits-baseline, week 2, week 3. The change from baseline in the mean scores of itching and redness at 3 weeks was primary outcome variable.Results: The reduction in signs and symptoms were statistically significant in all the three groups (p <0.001). Both the olopatadine receiving groups were better than sodium cromoglycate receiving group in reducing ocular signs and symptoms by pairwise comparison by wilcoxon signed rank test.Conclusions: Olopatadine ophthalmic solution is better than sodium cromoglycate ophthalmic solution in reducing the ocular signs and symptoms in allergic conjunctivitis