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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
08:38
Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
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Tacrolimus in Corticosteroid-Refractory Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
Samrat Chatterjee1, Deepshikha Agrawal
1Cornea & Anterior Segment Services, MGM Eye Institute, Raipur, India.
Cornea
|June 17, 2016
Summary
Topical tacrolimus 0.03% effectively treated steroid-refractory vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in a study. While generally safe, some patients may still need additional corticosteroid treatment for symptom relief.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
Background:
- Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe allergic eye disease.
- Corticosteroid-refractory VKC poses a significant treatment challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of 0.03% tacrolimus in treating corticosteroid-refractory VKC.
Main Methods:
- An open-label study included 30 patients with VKC unresponsive to corticosteroids.
- Patients received 0.03% tacrolimus ointment thrice daily, ketotifen eye drops twice daily, and artificial tears.
- Symptoms and signs were graded at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in composite symptom and sign scores was observed at 4 and 12 weeks (P < 0.05).
- Visual acuity improved at 12 weeks, though not significantly (P = 0.05).
- Treatment failure occurred in 17% of patients; transient stinging was the main adverse effect.
Conclusions:
- 0.03% tacrolimus demonstrates safety and efficacy for steroid-refractory VKC.
- Supplemental topical corticosteroids may be necessary for a subset of patients.
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