Posters

Long-term outcomes of topical cyclosporine 0.05% treatment in patients with dry eye

Poster Details

First Author: D.Dzhaber USA

Co Author(s):    E. Akpek                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of topical cyclosporine 0.05% (CsA) in treating clinical signs of dry eye.

Setting:

Cornea division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review and data analysis of patients who were diagnosed with dry eye from 2009-2013 and were treated with CsA for at least a period of one year and with a consistent follow-up was performed. The Schirmer’s test without anesthesia, tear film break–up time (TBUT), conjunctival lissamine green staining and corneal fluorescein staining were considered as the parameters to define clinical improvement. Patient symptoms and side effects were queried at each visit.

Results:

During a period of 5 years, 171 patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up period was 55.2±30.6 months. As of last visit, 134 patients were still on CsA with a mean duration of treatment of 45.5±27.9 months. Of those, 39 patients were improved and stable only on CsA, 6 were still symptomatic, and 85 were doing well on CsA and other treatments. 37 patients were off CsA. Of those, 32 were stable and 5 were still symptomatic. All clinical parameters did not improve significantly as of last visit compared to baseline (P>0.05). No side effects were noted.

Conclusions:

Topical CsA treatment is safe and was associated with significant improvement in clinical signs of dry eye in the majority of the patients. A small portion of the patients were able to achieve long-term drug-free relief suggesting that CsA may restore tear film homeostasis.

Financial Disclosure:

None