title: Topical tacrolimus ointment for treatment of refractory anterior segment inflammatory disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report 4 cases of patients treated with topical tacrolimus ointment 0.03% for ocular inflammatory conditions refractory to traditional treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four patients were treated topically with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment twice daily: 2 patients with blepharokeratoconjunctivitis, 1 patient with severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and 1 patient with chronic follicular conjunctivitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients had a dramatic improvement of their ocular condition as early as 2 weeks after starting tacrolimus ointment. One patient developed a herpes simplex virus dendrite after 1 week of tacrolimus use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tacrolimus ointment appears to be an effective alternative for certain ocular inflammatory conditions refractory to traditional treatments. There may be an increased risk of herpes simplex virus keratitis associated with topical use. Our results support previous literature of patients benefiting from topical tacrolimus use.
authors.affiliation: West Virginia University, WVU Eye Institute, Morgantown, USA. josephm@rcbhsc.wvu.edu
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Herbert E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Insler
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007635:Keratitis, Dendritic / Q000139:chemically induced; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus