Episodes of Keratitis during Treatment with Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

There is scarce evidence in the literature regarding the association of JAK inhibitors and keratitis.

We present the case of a 33-year-old woman with alopecia areata who developed 3 episodes of keratitis within 2 months of treatment with baricitinib, a JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, and had to therefore stop treatment with baricitinib.

On review of the literature regarding ocular side effects with JAK inhibitors, these seem rare but not exceptional. At this time, a casual link cannot be established. To exercise caution, clinicians should be aware of possible ocular adverse events in patients using JAK inhibitors and should also report these cases to the relevant drug safety agencies. Discontinuing the drug and switching to an alternative agent may also be necessary.