INTRODUCTIONWhile corticosteroids are an effective choice of treatment for severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), their long-term use is restricted due to side effects. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) 0.05% in the treatment of VKC.

METHODSA total of 30 patients with VKC that was resistant to topical corticosteroids, antihistamines and mast cell stabilisers were treated with topical CsA 0.05%. Patients were evaluated at Weeks 4, 8 and 12 after the initiation of therapy. Symptoms and signs observed before and after treatment were recorded and scores were assigned. Scores for symptoms and signs, the need for topical corticosteroids and ocular side effects were evaluated.

RESULTSAt baseline, the median values of the symptom and sign scores were 10.0 (range 5.0-18.0) and 6.0 (range 2.0-13.0), respectively. At Week 4 of treatment with topical CsA 0.05%, the median values of the symptom and sign scores were 3.0 (range 0-14.0) and 3.0 (range 0-8.0), respectively. The reductions in the symptom and sign scores were statistically significant. The reduction in the need for corticosteroid was statistically significant by Week 12 of therapy. No significant side effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONTopical CsA 0.05%, which can help to reduce corticosteroid usage, is an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of resistant VKC. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal duration of therapy and possibility of recurrence.

Administration, Topical ; Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; Adult ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; Cornea ; drug effects ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Eye ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Recurrence ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To determine whether topical tacrolimus might prove effective in the treatment of refractory anterior segment inflammatory diseases, and to evaluate its efficacy in eyes with ocular graft versus host disease (GVHD), and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). METHODS: Twenty-eight eyes of 14 patients with anterior segment inflammation refractory to steroid treatment were treated with 0.03% tacrolimus ointment at the Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea from March 2008 through August 2009. Seven patients had ocular GVHD and seven had VKC. We evaluated the conjunctival and corneal inflammatory change at one, two, four, and eight weeks after treatment with a scoring system. Time to initial response of treatment and therapeutic effect between GVHD and VKC was also analyzed. After the eight-week treatment period, patients were divided into two groups (maintenance group and discontinuance group). Eight patients maintained the treatment for an additional four months, and six patients discontinued the treatments. Therapeutic effect was also compared between the groups at eight weeks and six months after treatment. RESULTS: The mean conjunctival and corneal inflammation score was reduced significantly at eight weeks after treatment (p < 0.0001). The therapeutic effect in conjunctival inflammation was first noted at week two after the initial treatment (p = 0.002); reduction in corneal inflammation was first noted at one week (p = 0.0009). When compared according to diagnosis, no therapeutic difference was detected between the groups (p > 0.05). Six months after treatment, we noted no therapeutic differences between the maintenance group and discontinuance group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 0.03% tacrolimus ointment was safe and effective for use in anterior segment inflammatory disease refractory to steroid.
Administration, Topical ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic/*drug therapy ; Female ; *Graft vs Host Disease ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/*administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ointments ; Prospective Studies ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Tacrolimus/*administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC), which may be acute or chronic, is associated with rhinitis in 30%–70% of affected individuals, hence the term allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR/C). Seasonal and perennial AC is generally milder than the more chronic and persistent atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Natural allergens like house dust mites (HDM), temperate and subtropical grass and tree pollen are important triggers that drive allergic inflammation in AC in the Asia-Pacific region. Climate change, environmental tobacco smoke, pollutants derived from fuel combustion, Asian dust storms originating from central/north Asia and phthalates may also exacerbate AR/C. The Allergies in Asia Pacific study and International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood provide epidemiological data on regional differences in AR/C within the region. AC significantly impacts the quality of life of both children and adults, and these can be measured by validated quality of life questionnaires on AR/C. Management guidelines for AC involve a stepped approach depending on the severity of disease, similar to that for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are effective in certain types of persistent AC, and sublingual immunotherapy is emerging as an effective treatment option in AR/C to grass pollen and HDM. Translational research predominantly from Japan and Korea involving animal models are important for the potential development of targeted pharmacotherapies for AC.
Adult ; Allergens ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Calcineurin Inhibitors ; Child ; Climate Change ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Drug Therapy ; Dust ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Japan ; Korea ; Models, Animal ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Pyroglyphidae ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Seasons ; Smoke ; Sublingual Immunotherapy ; Tobacco ; Translational Medical Research ; Trees