Antihistamines - Treat symptom of itching. Placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated that Lotemax reduces signs and symptoms of GPC after 1 week of treatment, continuing for up to 6 weeks while on treatment. Frequent encouragement by the clinician can be essential, as the symptoms may take a while to subside. Frequently monitor the patient while GPC is active, perhaps every few weeks to few months. Once GPC successfully is managed, follow patients as indicated by other aspects of their ophthalmic and medical situation.
Counsel patients to present within a week of any relapsing symptoms.
Educate patients about appropriate CL cleaning and follow-up care. Advise patients to return for professional evaluation if they experience any increasing ocular itching, mucous discharge, or dirty CLs. Topical steroid use is a particular concern in patients with past history of herpetic eye disease. Although topical corticosteroid use is not associated with induction or facilitation of viral recurrence, a fulminant infection could occur if the herpes virus recurs during topical corticosteroids treatment. Increased concerns exist regarding de novo fungal and other viral infections and potentiating bacterial infections.