TO COMPARE THE EFFICACY OF TACROLIMUS (0.1%) Vs CYCLOSPORINE (0.05%) IN VERNAL KERATO-CONJUNCTIVITIS (VKC)

Abstract

Introduction- The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efcacy and safety of topical Tacrolimus (0.1%) as compared to topical Cyclosporine (0.05%) in treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients. Methodology- A Prospective, comparative, interventional study was conducted in 142 patients of VKC between February 2020 to august 2021 attending the ophthalmic outpatient department of our hospital. Patients were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria and included in the study after obtaining informed, written consent from the patients or their guardian. Right eye was be treated with Cyclosporine (0.05%) eye drop th th th twice daily and the left eye was treated with Tacrolimus (0.1%) eye ointment twice daily for 2 months. Patients were followed up on 15 , 30 , 60 st day on medication. Then the treatment was withdrawn and patients were reviewed after 4 weeks. At each follow up and at 1 visit patients symptoms were graded, recorded and compared as Total Subjective Symptoms Score (TSSS) and Total Objective ocular sign Score (TOSS). Result -Both TOSS and TSSS decreased in both the eye consistently without any effect on Intra-ocular pressure. Improvement in scores was more in left eye. But scores increased after the withdrawal of drug, still lower than baseline scores. Conclusion - Disease has greater propensity in males. Both the drugs were found to be effective and safe, but 0.1% Tacrolimus eye ointment found to be superior than 0.05% Cyclosporine eye drop. Only side effect with tacrolimus eye ointment was stinging sensation on instillation of drug.