Efficacy of Topical Cyclosporine in Mild Dry Eye Patients Having Refractive Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of pre- and post-operative use of topical 0.05% cyclosporine A (CsA) in mild dry eye patients having refractive surgery. METHODS: This randomized prospective study included 40 patients with mild dry eye syndrome who were scheduled for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). All patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients in the CsA group used both 0.1% sodium hyaluronate (HA) and 0.05% CsA from 2 weeks before to 8 weeks after the surgery, while patients in the control group used 0.1% HA only. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), Oxford Stain Score (OSS), and tear osmolarity were evaluated before surgery and 1, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: TF-BUT was significantly longer in the CsA group at 1 and 4 weeks post-operatively (p = 0.024, p = 0.036) compared to the control group. Tear osmolarity was significantly lower in the CsA group at 1 week post-operatively (p = 0.004) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The pre- and post-operative use of topical 0.05% CsA is effective in alleviating dry eye symptom after LASIK in patients with dry eye syndrome.