Topical Tacrolimus Effective for Refractory Inflammatory Ocular Surface Diseases
From the American Academy of Ophthalmology
retrospective review evaluated the efficacy of 0.02% tacrolimus ointment applied one to three times per day, depending on disease severity, for up to 31 months in 12 consecutive patients previously treated with steroid therapy. Treatment showed an immunosuppressive effect in all disease types, especially scleritis and Mooren ulcer. In chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis, simultaneous tacrolimus while tapering steroid therapy suppressed inflammatory relapse. Tacrolimus did not elevate IOP as do steroids, and no side effects were observed. American Journal of Ophthalmology, May 2013