Therapeutic Effect of 0.1% Topical Tacrolimus for Childhood Interstitial Keratitis Refractory to Cyclosporine.

Purpose: To report our findings in a case of childhood refractory interstitial keratitis successfully treated with 0.1% topical tacrolimus.

Methods: A 12-year-old boy presented with a 3-year history of interstitial keratitis. For the recurrent interstitial keratitis he had been treated with topical and systemic acyclovir, steroids, and topical cyclosporine for 3 years. Our examinations revealed severe stromal infiltrates and neovascularization. Treatment was changed from topical 0.5% cyclosporine to topical 0.1% tacrolimus combined with topical acyclovir and betamethasone.

Results: After 2 weeks of treatment with topical tacrolimus, the degree of stromal infiltrates decreased. Although the improvements were slow, the stromal infiltrates resolved somewhat, and neovascularization and topical acyclovir and betamethasone were tapered and stopped in 18 months. Since then, the patient has not shown any recurrence for 9 months without medication.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that topical tacrolimus should be considered for treating refractory interstitial keratitis in children.