title: Tacrolimus Ointment for Treatment of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment for the treatment of refractory vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, nonrandomized case series enrolled 20 patients (40 eyes) with severe VKC, who were treated with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. The mean age of the patients was 18.25 ± 4.2 years (range, 9-31 years). Each patient completed a follow-up period of at least 24 months. The main outcome measure was the clinical response to treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements in clinical signs and symptoms were achieved in all patients 6 weeks after starting treatment with topical tacrolimus. Treatment was gradually reduced, with increasing intervals between applications. VKC recurred in all patients who attempted to discontinue treatment. No additional medications were required and no significant changes in visual acuity or refraction were documented. Five patients discontinued treatment due to a severe burning sensation and were excluded from the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tacrolimus, 0.1% ointment, is a safe and effective treatment for VKC refractory to standard treatment and may be used as a substitute for steroid treatments used to controlled disease activity. However, adverse effects could cause poor patient compliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Khaled University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahman M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Al-Amri
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Aleem Gulzar
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khaled University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmed Mossa
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Al-Hakami
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus
keywords: Allergy; Tacrolimus; Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis