STUDY OF COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROID WITH TOPICAL TACROLIMUS OINTMENT & INITIAL TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROID THERAPY IN PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Dr. Prof V. Bhaisare, Dr. S. Walia, Dr. Ayush Mehta, Dr. Prof P. Rawat, Dr. N. Kori

INTRODUCTION: Topical steroids have been the main stay of treatment for the graft rejection in penetrating keratoplasty since

decades but with this effect there comes a plenty of adverse effects too. This made us to compare the efficacy of other

immunosuppressive which have lower side effects, with steroids.

PURPOSE: To study the comparative effect of topical Tacrolimus and topical corticosteroid on graft rejection, corneal

transparency, corneal vascularization, healing of graft–host junction & intraocular pressure.

DESIGN: Cross–sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS: 60 cases which underwent penetrating keratoplasty for various reasons were studied.

MATERIALS & METHODS: Patients were divided into 2 groups one on Topical Prednisolone 1% & other on combination of

0.03% topical tacrolimus ointment & topical Prednisolone 1% . After discharge, patients were seen weekly for 3 months and

then once in a month for next 6 months.

RESULTS: Significant reduction (p>0.05) in complications like secondary glaucoma & persistent epithelial defect was observed in

our study.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that topical tacrolimus 0.03 % was equally effective to topical prednisolone 1% in reducing the risk

of graft rejection & had very low predisposition to complications. Thus topical tacrolimus 0.03% can be considered as an effective

modality of treatment in cases of penetrating keratoplasty.