Therapeutic effects of tacrolimus eye ointment in refractory allergic conjunctivitis

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of topical 0.1% tacrolimus and 0.03% tacrolimus eye ointment in treating refractory allergic conjunctivitis. This prospective observational study included 30 patients with refractory allergic conjunctivitis whose condition had responded poorly to conventional anti-allergic drugs and/or topical steroids and/or topical cyclosporine. All patients received tacrolimus eye ointment twice daily during the study period. Ten clinical signs and six clinical symptoms were rated on a four-grade scale. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in total clinical signs and symptoms score at the last observation or following 6 months of treatment. Total signs and symptoms score significantly decreased after 1 month of treatment (p<0.001). Giant Papillae were also reduced by tacrolimus eye ointment use (p<0.001). The drug proved effective in patients whose condition did not respond well to topical cyclosporine. The most common adverse reaction was a transient burning sensation (3.20%). Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% is more effective than 0.03% in treating refractory allergic conjunctivitis and may reduce or replace topical steroid use