Cyclosporine A 1% for the treatment of moderate and severe dry eye syndrome

Abstract

Cyclosporine-A is an immunomodulator for topical use in the treatment of dry eye its use has anti-inflammatory therapeutic action and few adverse effects. <em><strong>Objective</strong><em> To determine significant changes in symptomatology, quantity and quality of tear film, and ocular surface status after three months of treatment with cyclosporine-A 1% in patients with moderate to severe dry eye. <em><strong>Materials and methods:</strong><em> A controlled, blind, randomized intervention study was developed with 34 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe dry eye cyclosporine-A 1% was administered in a randomized manner to 18 patients (magistral formula) and carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% to 16 patients. The following pretreatment and post-treatment tests were performed: OSDI questionnaire, Schirmer II test, Tear Break-Up Test (TBUT), lissamine green staining, and conjunctival impression cytology. <em><strong>Results:</strong><em> After treatment with cyclosporine-A 1% statistical differences (p < 0.05) were found in symptomatology, the Schirmer test, lissamine green staining, and impression cytology. In the group treated with carboxymethylcellulose 0.5%, significant differences (p < 0.05) after treatment were only evidenced in symptomatology and conjunctival impression cytology. <em><strong>Conclusions:</strong><em> Cyclosporine-A 1% treatment reduces clinical signs and symptoms in patients with moderate to severe dry eye.