Retrospective analysis of clinical efficacy and safety of fluorometholone combined with azelastine eye drops for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

BackgroundSeasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) is a common ocular allergic disease, predominantly affecting children and young adults, with no significant gender predominance.AimThis study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of fluorometholone combined with azelastine eye drops versus azelastine monotherapy in patients with SAC.MethodsThis single-center retrospective study enrolled 180 SAC patients from January 2022 to June 2024. Patients were divided into a combination group (fluorometholone 0.1% QID + azelastine 0.05% BID, n = 90) and a monotherapy group (azelastine 0.05% BID, n = 90). Symptom and sign scores were assessed at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 4, and 2 months post-treatment. Efficacy, recurrence rate, and adverse events were compared.ResultsThe combination group showed significantly greater reduction in symptom and sign scores from week 1 onward (p < 0.01). At week 2, the total effective rate was 98.89% in the combination group versus 81.11% in the monotherapy group (p < 0.05). The recurrence rate at 2 months post-treatment was significantly lower in the combination group (6.7% vs. 17.8%, χ2 = 4.889, p = 0.027). Adverse events were mild and comparable between groups (5.6% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.697).ConclusionFluorometholone combined with azelastine is more effective than azelastine monotherapy in treating SAC, providing faster symptom relief, higher efficacy, lower recurrence, and a comparable safety profile.