Topical Cyclosporine A 0.05% for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common clinical condition that challenges ophthalmologists. Topical Cyclosporine A is an anti-inflammatory therapy being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the therapy for DED. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and pa- tient tolerability of topical Cyclosporine A 0.05% for the treatment of DED. A total of 87 patients diagnosed with DED were included in this study. Dry eye symptoms (foreign body sensation, burn- ing, and pain) were scored. As a baseline measurement, the tear break-up time test (TBUT) and the Schirmer’s test were performed for all the patients. Cyclosporine A 0.05% was given topically twice daily to all the patients for four months. They were followed up every month for a period of four months. The clinical signs (Schirmer’s test, the TBUT), and the symptoms scores, were record- ed for each visit. The mean age of the patients was 57.25±9.70 years (Range 32 - 80 years); 25 males (28.7%) and 62 females (71.3%). Out of them, 23 (26.4%) cases had Sjögren’s syndrome, and 12 (13.7%) cases had previous LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis). The symptoms score of the cases improved from (4.95±1.73) pretreatment to (0.40±.70) four months after treatment (P <0.001). The Schirmer’s test results improved from (4.10 ±1.089) pretreatment to (10.80±2.40) four months post-treatment (P <0.0001), and the TBUT test results improved from (5.54±1.77 s) pre- treatment to (12.95±3.12 s) four months post-treatment (P <0.0001). Only seven patients (8%) de- veloped ocular side effects in the form of redness, pain, and systemic side effects in the form of headache. In conclusion, Cyclosporine A 0.05% eye drops is an effective treatment for DED, im- proving both signs and symptoms of DED with few ocular side effects.