Posters

Topical tacrolimus 0.03% as sole therapy in vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Poster Details

First Author: N.Patil INDIA

Co Author(s):    R. Muljiani                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy of the isolated use of tacrominus ointment (0.03%) in children with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis ( VKC ).

Setting:

-

Methods:

Twenty two eyes of 11 children aged between 8 to 14 years with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) were started on Tacrolimus (0. 03%) eye ointment twice a day for 4 weeks. Evaluation of parameters was done before and after 1 month of starting the therapy. Subjective parameters of redness, photophobia, itching, watering and pain was scored on a scale from 0 to 10. Objective parameters of conjunctival hyperemia, papillary reaction, limbal hyperplasia, and punctuate keratitis were evaluated on the slit lamp and scored on a scale from 0 to 4. The children were examined at 1 week and 1 month of starting the ointment. Adverse effects and the need for adding steroid eye drops if any were noted at these visits.

Results:

At the end of 1 month, both the scores for the subjective and the objective parameters reduced significantly (p=0. 002 and p=0. 020) respectively. Burning of the eyes after instillation of the ointment was reported in 5 children. One child required addition of soft steroid eye drops at week 1 visit while the rest showed good allergy control.

Conclusions:

Tacrolimus eye ointment (0. 03%) was found to be effective and safe as a sole therapy in cases of VKC.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE