What Is Verkazia? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

If you or your child has been diagnosed with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) — or if your doctor has recommended Verkazia — you probably have questions. What exactly is Verkazia? How does it work? How do you use it correctly? This guide answers all the basics.

What Is Verkazia?

Verkazia (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.1%) is a prescription eye drop manufactured by Harrow Eye, LLC. It is the first and only topical immunomodulator approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children and adults.

Verkazia received initial FDA approval in June 2021. It is formulated as an ophthalmic emulsion — a milky white suspension that must be shaken gently before use to ensure the medication is evenly distributed. Each dose comes in a single-use vial containing 0.3 mL of emulsion — enough for one dose in both eyes.

What Is VKC and Why Does It Need Treatment?

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic, serious allergic eye disease that goes far beyond ordinary seasonal eye allergies. It causes intense itching, sensitivity to light (photophobia), thick mucous discharge with a rope-like consistency, redness, and in severe cases can lead to corneal scarring, corneal ulcers (shield ulcers), and even permanent vision damage.

VKC primarily affects children and young adults and is more common in males. It is more prevalent in warm, dry, allergen-rich climates but occurs worldwide. In the United States, it is considered a rare condition — affecting approximately 1.24 per 10,000 children.

Before Verkazia, there was no FDA-approved steroid-sparing option specifically for VKC. Patients either used corticosteroid eye drops (which can cause glaucoma and cataracts with long-term use) or compounded versions of cyclosporine prepared individually by pharmacies.

What Is Verkazia Used For?

Verkazia is FDA-approved for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children (age 4 and older) and adults. It is specifically indicated for this one condition. Do not use Verkazia for:

Dry eye disease — Other cyclosporine formulations (Restasis, Cequa, Vevye) are approved for dry eye; Verkazia is not

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis — Standard allergy eye drops or antihistamines are appropriate for typical seasonal eye allergies

Bacterial or viral eye infections — Verkazia does not treat infections

Verkazia Dosage and How to Use It

Standard dose: 1 drop in each affected eye, 4 times daily (morning, noon, afternoon, and evening).

Key usage instructions:

Shake before use: Gently shake or rotate the vial to create a uniform white emulsion before instilling

Remove contact lenses: Take out contact lenses before using Verkazia and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them

Don't touch the tip: Avoid letting the vial tip contact your eye or any other surface — this can contaminate the medication

One vial, one use: Each vial contains enough for both eyes — discard it immediately after use, even if liquid remains

Spacing with other eye drops: If using other eye drops, wait at least 10 minutes before or after Verkazia. Use Verkazia first before any eye ointments or gels.

Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and continue with the next scheduled dose. Do not double up.

Storage and Handling

Store at room temperature: 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)

Do not freeze

After opening the aluminum foil pouch, keep remaining vials in the pouch to protect from light and evaporation

Key Facts About Verkazia

Drug class: Calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant

Generic available: No (as of 2026)

Controlled substance: No

Approved age range: Ages 4 and older

Manufacturer: Harrow Eye, LLC (Nashville, TN)

Cash price: approximately $1,938–$2,159 for 120 vials (30-day supply)

The Bottom Line

Verkazia is a genuinely breakthrough medication for VKC patients — the first FDA-approved nonsteroidal option for this serious allergic eye condition. If you've been prescribed Verkazia and are having trouble finding it at your pharmacy, medfinder can help locate it near you. Want to understand how Verkazia works at a biological level? See our deep dive: How Does Verkazia Work? Mechanism of Action Explained