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Case report shows ocular allergy agent treats rhinitis symptoms
PHOENIX – Treatment with bepotastine 1.5% solution for allergic conjunctivitis was shown to relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms as well, according to a case report presented in a poster here at Academy 2012.
Agustin L. Gonzalez, OD, stated in his poster that drainage through the nasolacrimal system of agents applied ocularly is usually considered as a potential route for systemic toxicity. However, Gonzalez shows in this case report a “coincidentally beneficial side effect secondary to the management of allergic symptoms by the use of topical bepotastine 1.5% ophthalmic solution.”
A healthy 32-year-old man showed signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis and elevated IOP after treatment with fluticasone propionate every day, sometimes three times a day, for 3 years. Upon clinical exam, his visual acuity was found to be 20/20, and IOP was 24 mm Hg OD and 26 mm Hg OS.
The fluticasone propionate was discontinued, and the patient was started on bepotastine 1.5% ophthalmic solution twice daily. After 9 weeks of treatment, the patient’s IOP was 18 mm Hg OD and 19 mm Hg OS and he also reported relief of his allergic rhinitis symptoms.
“In this patient, the unique characteristics of the bepotastine molecule have helped alleviate the nasal rhinitis while limiting the use of nasal steroids,” Gonzalez concluded.