Tacrolimus ointment 0.03% in the eye for treatment of giant papillary conjunctivitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of refractory giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) treated by using topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment.


METHODS
A 16-year-old white boy with a history of GPC was referred to our department for severe GPC with eye itching, tearing, photophobia, discharge, and blepharospasm. The patient had received previous treatments with antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, topical corticosteroid ointments, and surgical resection-cryopexy of GPC that were ineffective.


RESULTS
Topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment (Protopic; 0.5 cm) was applied into the lower fornix twice a day. An improvement of the patient's symptoms was observed during the first 5 days of therapy, and the GPC was resolved within 15 days. After 1 month of continued topical tacrolimus ointment treatment, there was no evidence of GPC. Topical tacrolimus was tapered during the next 2 months. Six months after treatment, there were no GPC findings, and no side effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment for severe GPC, refractory to conventional therapy, appears to be an effective alternative treatment.
Kymionis
George D
GD
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. kymionis@med.uoc.gr
Goldman
David
D
Ide
Takeshi
T
Yoo
Sonia H
SH
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus