ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This meta-analysis aimed to review the safety and efficacy of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) and topical tacrolimus in allergic eye disease. METHODS: A systematic search identified thirteen studies and a total of 445 patients for inclusion, making this the largest meta-analysis published on the subject. The current review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). RESULTS: Thirteen randomized control trials were included in the meta-analysis. Eleven studies used CsA as the treatment, and two used Tacrolimus. In total, 445 participants were included, of whom 76.6% were male. The mean age of participants across the included studies was 14 years. All studies reported clinical signs as evaluated by an examining clinician. Signs were usually assessed by anatomical region, with the most common regions being the conjunctiva and the cornea, and the most common signs assessed were hyperemia and papillae. Three studies accounted for more than 50% of the meta-analysis's weight. Effect size (d) ranged from - 2.37 to - 0.03, negative values favoring immunomodulators. Fixed Effect Meta-Analysis returned an SMD of - 0.81 (95% CI [- 0.98, - 0.65]). However, there was significant heterogeneity (I2 = 61%, Qw = 30.76) in the outcome measure (P = 0.0021); therefore, a random-effect meta-analysis was also completed in which the pooled SMD was - 0.98 (95% CI [- 1.26, - 0.69], τ2 = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: This study affirms the current scientific community's stance that immunomodulators effectively treat clinical signs, including blepharitis, conjunctival hyperemia, edema, papillae, and corneal damage in severe ocular allergic disease.
Subject(s)
Conjunctivitis, Allergic , Hyperemia , Keratoconjunctivitis , Humans , Male , Adolescent , Female , Conjunctivitis, Allergic/diagnosis , Conjunctivitis, Allergic/drug therapy , Tacrolimus , Immunologic Factors , Keratoconjunctivitis/diagnosis , Keratoconjunctivitis/drug therapy , Conjunctiva , CyclosporineABSTRACT
TOPIC: Review of the efficacy and safety of standard versus soft topical steroid application after cataract surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The control of postoperative inflammation is the mainstay of treatment after cataract surgery. However, no consensus exists regarding the postoperative steroid of choice. Basing the choice of topical postoperative steroidal treatment on high-quality data regarding both risks and benefits of various drugs would be advantageous for both patients and clinicians. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases for all peer-reviewed published randomized control trials that included clinical outcomes of topical steroidal treatment after uneventful cataract surgery was performed. Individual study data were extracted and evaluated in a weighted pooled analysis including grading of total anterior chamber (AC) inflammation, AC cells, AC flare, postoperative visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and rate of adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Overall, 508 studies were found, of which 7 were eligible for the systematic review and ultimately were included for analysis, reporting on 593 patients from 5 countries. Age of included patients, when available, ranged between 3.7 and 73.4 years. Follow-up data were available for analysis at 1, 7, and 28 days after surgery. Except for a significantly lower grade of AC flare in the standard steroid group at day 7 (standardized mean difference, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.47; I2 = 0%), inflammatory activity measurements displayed insignificant differences at every other follow-up (days 1 and 28 after surgery). Pooled analysis of IOP at each follow-up demonstrated a higher IOP at the 7-day visit in the standard steroid group, whereas IOP at other time points was comparable among the groups. Qualitative analysis of ocular AEs showed similarities among the groups. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study suggest that for the average patient, both groups produce a comparable effect on both AC inflammation and postoperative IOP and VA. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
