Therapeutic effects of topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment in children with refractory vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Middle East

ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to review the efficacy and safety profile in children treated with topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment for vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Middle East and to propose a treatment posology. According to recent studies, a complex non-IgE dependent mechanism plays a relevant role in the pathogenesis of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Numerous cells and mediators have been found in the serum, conjunctiva and tears of patients with Vernal keratoconjunctivitis.DesignThis case series included 10 patients from a single centre, pediatric department of a tertiary hospital with active symptomatic vernal keratoconjunctivitis. All the patients had proliferative lesions and corneal involvement despite conventional medications, including topical steroids. All other medications, systemic and topical: steroids, antihistamines and cyclosporine, were unsuccessful. Patients were treated with topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment twice daily for 8 weeks and then once a day for the next two month followed by thrice a week for two months. The changes in symptoms and signs after treatment were evaluated, also the development of possible complications was assessed.ResultsThe results showed a significant reduction in signs and symptoms after 4 weeks of the treatment. Clinical resolution of giant papillae and corneal lesions were seen within eight weeks and no additional drug was required during that period, except tear substitutes. Treatment was continued for period of two months and then slowly reduced.ConclusionThe use of 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment is safe and effective in children refractory to conventional treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis even in high temperature climate as Middle East. Due to the effectiveness of the treatment, the dosage used may be proposed for conventional use.     

A clinical procedure to predict the value of temporary occlusion therapy in keratoconjunctivitis sicca

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of dissolvable collagen punctal plugs on the symptoms, tear stability and volume in aqueous deficient dry eyes. METHODS: Sixty-two aqueous deficient dry eye patients of mixed aetiology underwent lacrimal punctal occlusion with dissolvable collagen plugs. The subjects were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups: group I (n = 36) had their lower puncta occluded and group II (n = 26) had both their upper and lower puncta occluded. The effectiveness of this treatment was clinically assessed by (1). scoring subject symptoms and (2). measuring the tear parameters of tear thinning time (TTT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) as indicators of tear stability and volume, respectively. Following baseline measurements, patients were reviewed at time intervals of 5 and 12 days post-occlusion. A group of age- and gender-matched normals (n = 45) was recruited for comparison (group III). RESULTS: Tear volume and stability were significantly higher in group III compared with I and II at baseline. In the treated groups on both days 5 and 12: (1). symptom score reduced significantly from a median value of 7 to 3 (p = <0.001); (2). tear stability increased significantly from a median value of 3 to 5 s by day 5 (p 相似文献   

Eosinophil cationic protein in tears of normal subjects and patients affected by vernal keratoconjunctivitis

The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) levels of tear eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC); 2) the effect of pharmacologic therapy on ECP release; and 3) the correlation of this mediator with the severity of the disease. Tears were collected from 10 controls and 20 VKC patients before and after therapy for cytologic analysis and ECP measurement by radioimmunoassay. Ocular signs and symptoms were evaluated before tear collection. Mean ECP levels in controls were 7.5 ± 0.4 μg/l, and in VKC patients, 988.3 ± 128 μg/l before therapy ( P <0.001) and 566.3 ± 121 μg/l after therapy ( P <0.005). In dexamethasone (Dex) 0.1%, or cyclosporin A (CsA) 2%, patients (five per group), tear ECP decreased significantly after 7–14 days of treatment. Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) 4% (five patients) for 14 days did not significantly affect ECP levels. ECP levels were significantly correlated with allergic signs ( P <0.001), symptoms ( P <0.001), and the number of eosinophils in tears (P<0.005). The results of this study suggest that tear ECP levels accurately reflect the clinical status of VKC patients. The measurement of ECP may prove useful not only in the diagnosis and monitoring of allergic disease, but also as an objective parameter for the evaluation of new antiallergic therapies.     

Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and interleukin-2 receptor in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis

BACKGROUND: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is characterized by severe ocular allergic inflammation that may have a poor visual prognosis. Due to the high frequency of the presence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in VKC, most systemic parameters are dependent on the clinical severity of AD. METHODS: Serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sIL-2R were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay using samples from 30 VKC patients, 30 allergic conjunctivitis (AC) patients, and 20 normal subjects, to determine whether the concentrations of these molecules are elevated. RESULTS: Circulating sICAM-1 and sIL-2R levels were increased in patients with VKC with AD compared with those in VKC without AD, AC, and normal controls. Serum levels of sVCAM-1 in VKC patients with and without AD were significantly higher than those in controls. No significant difference was found in the levels of sVCAM-1 between patients with VKC with and without AD. In VKC patients with AD, the sIL-2R level correlated significantly with severity of AD, whereas no such correlation was found for sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that serum sVCAM-1 can be used as a marker to differentiate VKC from nonproliferative ocular allergic diseases, and specific immunologic features of VKC may underlie the upregulation of serum sVCAM-1.     

Treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca with topical androgen

Objective: Androgens have been reported to influence lipid production of sebaceous glands and even many ocular tissues. The effect of topical androgen therapy on a 54-year-old patient with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and decreased lipid phase of the tear film is reported. Methods: For assessment of the lipid phase of the tear film, break up time (BUT) and lipid layer thickness (LLT) were monitored during 6 months before treatment as well as 3 months while using a daily topical androgen therapy. Results: During the topical androgen therapy the pathological lipid phase of the tear film was completely restored indicated by the normalisation of the values of BUT and LLT. Conclusion: These findings are consistent with animal experiments indicating that topical administered androgen can restore the decreased lipid phase of the tear film. This may open up new therapeutic strategies for KCS.     

Phototherapeutic keratoectomy (PTK) after keratoconjunctivitis epidemica

Background: Persistent and recurrent nummuli after epidemic keratokonjunktivitis (EKC) often lead to reduced visual acuity and increased glare. In spite of long-term topical steroid therapy nummuli often recur. We tried to treat persistent nummuli with phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Patients: PTK with an excimer laser (193 nm) was performed in 13 eyes of 9 patients with nummuli. The nummuli were observed over 3–72 months (mean: 36 months). Preoperatively, the visual acuity was 0.1–0.9 (mean: 0.39 ± 0.22) and the brightness acuity test (BAT) was 0.05–0.5 (mean: 0.25 ± 0.15). Prior to PTK all eyes had been treated with local steroids several times for recurrent nummuli. Results: During the follow-up from 15 to 56 months (mean: 33 ± 11.5 ms), 11 eyes had an increase in visual acuity: 0.3–1.0 (mean: 0.63 ± 0.26). The reduction of glare was especially beneficial for the patients: 0.3–0,9 (mean: 0.55 ± 0.21). One patient had a recurrence of nummuli in both eyes 6 weeks after PTK. The subjective-induced spheric refractive change was − 2.5 D to + 2.0 D. The astigmatic error changed between − 2.0 D to + 1.5 D. Conclusion: PTK seems to be an effective method of treating persistent, recurrent nummuli after EKC. The low rate of recurrence of nummuli after PTK is remarkable.      

春季角结膜炎中医药治疗最新进展

春季角结膜炎是一种比较难治的眼病,症状明显,但发病原因尚不明确,近年来随着中医眼科对该病认识的不断深入,在临床治疗上取得了较好的效果,本文对相关情况进行了总结.     

Ocular surface frostbite secondary to ethyl chloride spray

Context: Ethyl chloride (EC) is a fast-acting vapo-coolant spray that provides rapid, transient, local analgesia for minor invasive procedures. Although the application of EC has decreased, it can be used as a cryoanalgesic agent in minor surgical procedures. Objective: Despite the widespread use of EC as a local anesthetic, there are few reported cases of serious adverse side effects. Material and methods: We report a 67-year old otherwise healthy man who underwent excision of a papilloma on his superior right eyelid by a general practitioner at a primary care center. The lesion was removed by curettage after slight freezing with EC spray. This chemical agent was applied without the adequate eye protection, and eight hours later the patient presented an acute frost injury of ocular surface. Results: Urgent treatment included copious irrigation of the affected eye, especially the conjunctival fornices, corticosteroid (prednisone) and antibiotic (neomycin) ointment. A week later, the eyelid lesion and keratoconjunctivitis had resolved but evidence of early cicatrization involving the inferior conjucntival fornix and symblepharon formation were present. Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an acute burn of the ocular surface following EC spray exposure. Conclusion: EC should be avoided for short-term local anesthesia in the periocular region to prevent this serious complication.     

Povidone iodine in the treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis in infants

Context: Adenoviral conjunctivitis.

Objective: To examine the effects of conjunctival irrigation with povidone iodine in infants with adenoviral conjunctivitis.

Material and methods: An outbreak of adenovirus conjunctivitis occurred between September and December 2012 at the neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital. Forty-three infants with adenoviral conjunctivitis were examined in this study. Thirty-five eyes of 35 infants who had detailed ophthalmological examination and clinical scoring were included. The conjunctiva of 15 infants (Group 1) were irrigated with povidone iodine 2.5% solution and then treated with preservative-free artificial tears and preservative-free antibiotic drops. Twenty infants (Group 2) were treated only with the same drops with the same posology, without conjunctival irrigation with povidone iodine. Patients were examined two times a week until the complete recovery. Lid edema, conjunctival chemosis, fragility of conjunctival vasculature, pseudomembrane formation, and corneal involvement were scored clinically.

Results: Twenty patients (57%) were female and 15 patients (43%) were male and mean age was 3.1 months (ranged from 1 to 4 months). No relation was found between gender and clinical scores. Statistically significant lower clinical scores were obtained from Group 1. The median recovery time was earlier in Group 1 (7?d) than Group 2 (12?d) (p?=?0.001).

Conclusion: Conjunctival irrigation with 2.5% povidone iodine is effective in the treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis in infants.