Objective: The current study aimed to assess the efficacy of tacrolimus ointment in improving symptoms and visual acuity among vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) patients in Taif City, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This was a retrospective study. Data were collected from the medical files in Tadawi Surgical Medical Complex.
Result: A total of 33 patients with VKC were treated with tacrolimus ointment. Improvement was observed in 21 patients (63.6%), one patient (3%) relapsed after initial improvement, three patients (9.1%) showed no improvement, one patient (3%) was non-compliant, and six patients (18.2%) had no follow-up data. Complications occurred in five patients (15.2%), with redness reported in three cases (60%), hyperemia and injection in one case (20%), and one case relapsing after stopping the medication. Most patients (66.7%) experienced no complications.
Conclusion: Tacrolimus ointment significantly improved symptoms in vernal VKC, with about two-thirds of patients improving. This aligns with findings from other studies demonstrating its efficacy and safety over both short- and long-term use. While some patients reported minor side effects such as redness and itching, the treatment was generally well-tolerated. Relapse rates were low, and tacrolimus was effective even in severe VKC cases where other treatments failed. These results support tacrolimus ointment as a viable option for managing VKC.
Key words: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis, tacrolimus, efficacy, improvement, Saudi Arabia
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