Calcineurin inhibitor in corneal transplantation

الملخص EN

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 reporteda 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.