AIM: To explore the effect of glucocorticoid eye drops in the treatment of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis(EKC)during the immune reaction period.

METHODS:Totally, 206 EKC patients(359 eyes)with conjunctival pseudomembranous or(and)the subepithelial corneal infiltrates were selected. The treatment group used glucocorticoid eyes drops in conventional antiviral treatment and the control group only underwent the conventional antiviral therapy. Treatment effects were periodically reviewed and intraocular pressure was monitored.

RESULTS: The total effective rates in conjunctive pseudomembranous were 91.4% and 56.9%; and the total effective rates in subepithelial corneal infiltrates were 90.8% and 61.8%. The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Using glucocorticoid eye drops during the immune reaction period of EKC is a safe and effective, which can prevent pseudomembranous formed and promote the absorbed of the subepithelial corneal infiltrates.