RESUMO
Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of topical calcineurin inhibitor, tacrolimus 0.003% suspension for the management of steroid-induced ocular hypertension post-penetrating keratoplasty [PK]
Design: A Retrospective Study
Setting: Magrabi Aseer Eye Hospital, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
Method: Twenty primary keratoplasties [primary PK] performed between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015 were included in the study. Prednisolone was replaced with tacrolimus 0.003% suspension after intraocular pressure [IOP] elevation. Primary outcome measure was immunologic graft rejection episodes and secondary outcome measures were pre and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA]
Result: Twenty patients with keratoconus were included in the study; 12 [60%] were males and the mean age was 27 years
There were no reports of graft rejection or patients requiring glaucoma surgery
Tacrolimus was well tolerated; however, all patients reported a mild transient burning sensation in the eye during application. At the final follow-up, tacrolimus was tapered for all patients
Conclusion: Topical tacrolimus 0.003% suspension is an effective second-line immunosuppressant for the management of primary, normal-risk corneal grafts in patients who are steroid responders