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Topical tacrolimus reduces signs, symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis
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Tacrolimus eye drops treated recalcitrant allergic conjunctivitis with proliferative lesions or corneal involvement, according to a study.
The prospective study included 1,436 patients with refractory allergic conjunctivitis who were treated with tacrolimus ophthalmic suspension 0.1% (Senju Pharmaceutical).
Mean patient age was 8.3 years at disease onset and 15.8 years at enrollment in the study.
Patients received one drop of tacrolimus twice daily and were observed for a maximum of 6 months.
Investigators used a four-point scale to score 10 clinical signs and a separate four-grade scale to score six symptoms. Scoring was performed at baseline and at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months.
Total clinical signs and symptoms scores decreased significantly at 1 month (both P < .001). Clinical signs score decreased from 15.3 at baseline to 5.9 at final observation, and symptoms score decreased from 8.1 at baseline to 1.8 at final follow-up.
At 1 month, both scores also decreased in patients who had previously received cyclosporine 0.1% (P < .001).
At baseline, giant papillae were present in 87.2% of patients, and 62.8% of patients had active-stage giant papillae. At final observation, 15.8% of patients had active-stage giant papillae. Giant papillae scores were reduced in 84.2% of patients (P < .001).
Superficial punctate keratopathy was identified in 67.8% of patients at baseline and 22.3% of patients at final follow-up (P < .001).
A transient burning sensation was reported by 3.2% of patients.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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