Systemic Treatment With Cyclosporine A in Children With Severe Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Purpose: To report our experience with systemic cyclosporine as a treatment for severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in pediatric patients who did not respond to previous treatments. Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 6 patients, aged 4 to 15 years, with severe VKC treated with systemic cyclosporine for VKC at Shamir Medical Center in Zerifin, Israel, between the years 2000 and 2023. The average treatment duration was 18 months. In all patients, previous treatments with antihistamines, mast cells stabilizers, topical steroids and topical cyclosporine, and systemic steroids did not result in sufficient improvement. The severity of inflammation was evaluated during clinical examinations and the patients' subjective assessment of their quality of life. Results: In all 6 patients, signs and symptoms showed significant improvement within 2 to 4 weeks of initiating systemic cyclosporine treatment. All patients were able to discontinue regular steroids use and reported a significant improvement in their quality of life. No significant side effects were observed in any of the patients. Conclusions: Systemic cyclosporine is a safe and effective treatment for severe VKC. It is a steroid-sparing treatment that allows good quality of life, while keeping the disease latent.