Ketotifen fumarate treatment of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis

To report the effect of topically applied ketotifen fumarate in the treatment of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK).

Five patients with clinical findings of bilateral SLK with no relief of symptoms with standard reported modalities of treatment were treated with topical ketotifen fumarate twice daily in both eyes. All patients were evaluated 2 to 4 weeks after initiation of treatment of symptomatic and clinical improvement and at regular intervals thereafter.

Topical ketotifen provided immediate relief of ocular symptoms in all patients. In one patient, the response was long lasting, whereas in the other four, it was temporary, lasting 1 to 3 months. The objective signs, however, did not necessarily correlate with the subjective improvement.

Ketotifen fumarate can be effective at least in the short to medium term in the management of SLK. Although the mechanism of action of ketotifen remains unclear, this preliminary experience further supports the use of agents with mast cell-stabilizing activity in the treatment of SLK.