Efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment in thygeson superficial punctate keratitis.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of topical tacrolimus (TCL) 0.03% dermatological ointment in the treatment of patients with Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis. Study Design: Retrospective Review. Setting: Eye OPD of Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex, Nowshera. Period: Jan 2019 to Jan 2021. Material & Methods: Twelve patients with Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK) were included retrospectively by reviewing their medical records. Eight patients were unresponsive to topical steroids and/or lubricants. Diagnosis was made based on the history and clinical findings. All patients were treated with topical tacrolimus 0.03% dermatological ointment twice a day. We took the following subjective features for assessment i.e. watering of eyes and light sensitivity, while for objective features reduction in the no. of epithelial keratitis, healing of keratitis, surface leveling of the lesion and reduced corneal staining with fluorescein. Results: Out of total 12 patients, 4 were male and 8 females with a mean age of 21 ± 9.42 years. All were having bilateral involvement. Duration of therapy ranged from 02 to 40 weeks (mean 08 weeks). All patients improved symptomatically with resolution of watering of eyes and light sensitivity, while in ocular signs we noted improvement in corneal lesions. The efficacy of therapy was observed 3 days, post application among all patients. No, side effects reported in any of our patients treated with topical TCL dermatological ointment. Conclusion: The safety and efficacy of topical tacrolimus 0.03% dermatological ointment has been observed in patients with Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis who were refractory to conventional therapy.