Treatment for rare allergic eye condition launched

A treatment has been launched for the severe allergic eye condition, vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Pharmaceutical company, Santen, has released Verkazia for the treatment of VKC in children from four years of age to adolescents.

Verkazia significantly improved damage to the surface of the eye and reduced symptoms of severe VKC in a phase III trial.

There was a 68% improvement in photophobia, 58% improvement in tearing, 72% improvement in itching and 67% improvement in mucous discharge compared to controls.

The eye drop emulsion contains 0.1% ciclosporin. The recommended dose of Verkazia will be one drop administered four times a day in each affected eye.

The European Commission granted approval for Verkazia in July 2018 as an orphan medicinal product for severe VKC. The condition holds rare disease status in Europe.