0.1% Tacrolimus eye drops for the treatment of eyes suffering from severe allergic keratoconjunctivitis forms: long-term follow-up
Purpose
Aim of our study was to investigate quality of life, signs, symptoms and treatment regimen of children affected by severe forms of ocular allergy refractory to cyclosporine (CsA)
Methods
Our retrospective analysis was based on the electronic medical records of 78 subjects, namely 59 males and 19 females with mean age 6 years +7 months. Patients were visited during the last 5 years.
We included patients affected by refractory allergic conjunctivitis with a very poor response to conventional treatments, including CsA eye drops.
Patients suffering from seasonal forms of vernal kerato-conjunctivitis were treated with 0.1% Tacrolimus eye drops twice daily for at least 6-7 months during spring and summer.
Following a personal QoL questionnaire, we analyzed 3 main symptoms which are itching, photophobia and foreign body sensation together with 5 clinical signs (comparing slit-lamp pictures at each visit with a + score from 0 to 4+), namely mucus discharge, redness, keratopathy, Trantas limbal nodules or cobblestone papillae.
Results
All symptoms and signs decreased in more than 60% of the eyes and QoL questionnaire significantly improved (p<0.01) after 2 weeks of 0.1% tacrolimus, while more than 96% of the eyes experienced a fully recovery after 1 month.
No significant side effects were registered, except for a transient burning sensation at eye-drops administration in the first 10 days.
Conclusion
In our experience, 0.1% Tacrolimus eye-drops are very effective with low risks and side-effects in the treatment of refractory VKC forms; they are easily manageable due to fewer administration times (usually twice a day), while providing a true steroid sparing effect.
Conflict of interest
No
Authors 1
Last name
RISSOTTO
Initials of first name(s)
F
Department
San Raffaele Hospital, University Eye Clinic
City
Milan
Country
Italy
Authors 2
Last name
RISSOTTO
Initials of first name(s)
R
Department
San Paolo Hospital, University Eye Clinic
City
Milan
Country
Italy
Authors 3
Last name
Ciurlo
Initials of first name(s)
C
Department
Allergic Conjuctivitis referral center, Rapallo Hospital
City
Rapallo
Country
Italy
Authors 4
Last name
Allegri
Initials of first name(s)
p
Department
Allergic Conjuctivitis referral center, Rapallo Hospital
City
Rapallo
Country
Italy
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