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ABSTRACT
Purpose: This prospective, randomized, double-blind interventional case series was designed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of 0.03% tacrolimus ointment as a new therapeutic approach for refractory cases of posterior blepharitis.
Methods: Forty eyes (20 patients) with posterior blepharitis refractory to previous treatment were randomized. Eighteen eyes (9 patients) were treated with 0.03% tacrolimus ointment and 20 eyes (10 patients) with placebo ointment twice daily. Patients were evaluated with a questionnaire and slit-lamp examination 14 days and 28 days after treatment, and symptoms and signs of blepharitis were compared to those observed at baseline.
Results: We could observe statistical difference in the outcome measurements of meibomian gland secretion, conjunctival hyperemia, telangiectasia of inferior lid, Rose Bengal, and fluorescein scoring for the study group. As for the symptoms score, we observed statistical difference in the symptoms scoring for pruritus and dry eye sensation in the tacrolimus group.
Conclusion: This study suggests that topical administration of 0.03% tacrolimus ointment can improve some symptoms and some ocular surface status in patients with refractory posterior blepharitis.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Acacio Alves de Souza Lima Filho for donating the medications for this study.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Fernando Eiji Sakassegawa-Naves
Fernando Eiji Sakassegawa-Naves and Helena Maria Moraes-Ricci contributed equally to this study and should be considered joint first authors.
Helena Maria Moraes Ricci
Fernando Eiji Sakassegawa-Naves and Helena Maria Moraes-Ricci contributed equally to this study and should be considered joint first authors.