Efficacy of single dose dermatological 0.1% tacrolimus Ointment in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis Authors Muhammad Sharjeel Department of Ophthalmology, Mufti Mehmood Teaching Hospital, Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan Usama Iqbal Department of Ophthalmology, DHQ Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan Aamna Jabran Department of Ophthalmology, DHQ Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan Asif Mehmood Department of Ophthalmology, Rehman Medical College, khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Memona Mohiuddin College of Optometry and Allied Vision Sciences, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan DOI: https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.3541 Abstract Objective: To assess the safety of dermatological 0.1% tacrolimus ointment when used topically and its efficacy in the treatment of vernal keratoconvinctivtis. Method: The quasi-experimental, multi-centre study was conducted at the Gujranwala Medical College/District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala, and the Gomal Medial College/Mufti Mehmood Teaching Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, from July 2019 to March 2020, and comprised patients of severe vernal keratoconvinctivtis. Symptoms and clinical signs were graded on a pre-devised scale. Patients were given small amount of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment applied to the inferior conjunctival fornix before going to bed. The duration of treatment was 3 months and the patients were followed up for up to 6 months. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the 50 patients, 30(60%) were males and 20(40%) were females. The overall mean age was 10.64±3.199 years. Mean symptom score and clinical signs score gradually reduced on each follow-up (p<0.05). Mild recurrence was noted in 12(24%) patients who were managed with lubricants and anti-histamine topical drops. No complication was noted. Conclusion: Tacrolimus 0.1% was found to be effective and safe in the treatment of severe refractory vernal keratoconvinctivtis even when given once a day. Clinical Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Id: ChiCTR2000031929 link: www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.aspx?id=28053 Key Words: Allergic, Conjunctivitis, Tacrolimus, Topical administration, Anti-allergic agents, Dermatologic agents, Efficacy. Author Biographies Muhammad Sharjeel, Department of Ophthalmology, Mufti Mehmood Teaching Hospital, Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan Assistant Professor Aamna Jabran, Department of Ophthalmology, DHQ Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan Assistant Professor Asif Mehmood, Department of Ophthalmology, Rehman Medical College, khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Assistant professor Memona Mohiuddin, College of Optometry and Allied Vision Sciences, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan optometerist Downloads PDF Published 2022-08-15 How to Cite Sharjeel, M., Iqbal, U., Jabran, A., Mehmood, A., & Mohiuddin, M. (2022). Efficacy of single dose dermatological 0.1% tacrolimus Ointment in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 72(9), 1694–1698. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.3541 More Citation Formats ACM ACS APA ABNT Chicago Harvard IEEE MLA Turabian Vancouver Download Citation Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS) BibTeX Issue Vol. 72 No. 9 (2022): SEPTEMBER Section ORIGINAL ARTICLE