ABSTRACT
Purpose: to determine tear secretion changes after prescribing cyclosporine as an immunosuppressive agent in patients receiving allograft kidney transplantation
Methods: patients with end stage renal failure who underwent kidney transplantation at Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, from September 2000 to January 2001were included in the study. Shirmer II test [4 minutes] using local anesthesia was performed in both eyes before and 3 times after receiving cyclosporine
Results: fifteen patients [8 males and 7 females] with mean age of 32.2k2.96 years were evaluated. Tear secretion increased from 18.8350.953 md4 min [measured 1-7 days before prescribing cyclosporine] to 28.433 +/- 1.564,28.633 +/- 1.267, and 28.467 +/- 1.369 mm/4min at 1, 3, and 5 months after prescribing cyclosporine, respectively [P<0.001]
Conclusion: there was a statistically significant increase in tear secretion of patients receiving kidney transplantation and systemic cyclosporine as an immunosuppressive agent. Increased tear secretion continued during 6 months follow up and can be considered as a favorable side effect of cyclosporine. The increased tear secretion was also observed in patients with normal levels of tear secretion