Clinical Efficacy of Topical Tacrolimus on Conjunctival Hyperemia Caused by Prostaglandin Analogues

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tacrolimus ophthalmic solution on conjunctival hyperemia caused by prostaglandin analogues. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 120 patients diagnosed with bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The enrolled patients developed symptoms of conjunctival hyperemia during the administration of travoprost ophthalmic solution. The patients were divided into two groups: 0.004% travoprost solution was administered in the control group. A combination of 0.004% travoprost solution with tacrolimus was administered in the experimental group. Clinopathological parameters including intraocular pressure (IOP), subjective dry eye symptom score (SDES), hyperemia score, and noninvasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) were recorded at week 0, 1, 2, and 4. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measurement was employed for statistical analysis using SPSS 22.0 software. RESULTS: At week 1, 2, and 4, the IOP and SDES of both the control and experimental groups were significantly lower when compared the values at week 0 (before treatment). No significant differences in the IOP values between the two groups were observed at all time points. At week 2, the SDES and hyperemia score were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group, and the NIBUT was significantly longer in the experimental group. The above parameters showed no significant difference at week 4 between the two groups, although the average SDES and hyperemia score were slightly lower in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Tacrolimus ophthalmic solution can relieve conjunctival hyperemia, improve ocular surface conditions, and reduce discomfort caused by prostaglandin analogues.