Benefits and side effects of cyclosporine a 0.05% eye drops in dry eye diseases

Abstract

Objectives- To know the effect of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% eye drops in dry eye disease and evaluate its side effects.

Materials and methods- 30 cases, above age of15 year, of dry eye syndrome were included. Grading were doneas following eight symptoms, chronic sandy-gritty irritation, persistent dryness, foreign body sensation, scratching and burning, watery eyes, photophobia, itching and transient blurring of vision. The signs noted in cases of dry eye are tear breakup time and schirmer value. Cyclosporine A 0.05% ophthalmic emulsioneye drop used 12 hourly. Follow up of patients on after 15 days, every month for 3 months then after 6 months.

Results- In 30 cases, malefemale ratio were 5:1. According tosymptoms, 50% mild, 30% moderate and 20% were severe, andaccording to signs 46.66%mild,33.33% moderate, and 20.00% were severe. After cyclosporine a treatment 20 became normal, 8 partially improved and 2 no improvement in symptoms while 20 became normal, 9 partially improved and1patient showed no improvement in signs. Local side effect likeburningin 23.33%, discharge in 60.66%, foreign body sensation in 13.33%, stinging in 13.33%, conjuctival hyperemia in 20% and visual disturbance in 6% eyes.

Conclusions- Topical cyclosporine A 0.05% eye drop twice daily in dry eye diseases improve symptom as well as signs (schirmer”s value and tear breakup time) with minimal tolerable local side effects.