Effects of topical cyclosporine a plus artificial tears versus artificial tears treatment on conjunctival goblet cell density in dysfunctional tear syndrome

Eye Contact Lens. 2011 Sep;37(5):312-5. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0b013e31822563be.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim was to compare the effects of topical cyclosporine A and artificial tears combination with artificial tears alone in patients with dysfunctional tear syndrome (DTS).

Methods: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients with DTS were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria for the study were Schirmer I (without anesthesia) scores below 10 mm/5 min and tear film break-up time (BUT) below 10 sec. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The study group (22 patients) underwent 0.05% cyclosporine A treatment twice a day and preservative-free artificial tears for four times a day for 4 months. The control group (20 patients) was administered only preservative-free artificial tears four times a day for 4 months. The BUT, Schirmer test scores, corneal fluorescein staining, conjunctival lissamine green staining, and goblet cell density derived by impression cytology were recorded before and after treatment in each group.

Results: In the study group, all parameters improved statistically significantly after treatment at the 4-month follow-up compared with the pretreatment values (P<0.001 for all). In the control group, corneal fluorescein staining (P<0.001) and conjunctival lissamine green staining (P=0.014) improved, but BUT and Schirmer scores did not change significantly after treatment. At the end of the 4-month follow-up, the study group demonstrated statistically significantly better BUT (P=0.020), Schirmer scores (P=0.002), goblet cell density (P=0.006), corneal fluorescein staining (P=0.003), and conjunctival lissamine green staining (P=0.017) scores than did the control group.

Conclusions: Topical cyclosporine A and artificial tears treatment significantly increases goblet cell density, decreases the signs of DTS, and improves ocular surface health.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cell Count
  • Conjunctiva / drug effects*
  • Conjunctiva / pathology
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / pathology
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Goblet Cells / drug effects*
  • Goblet Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / therapeutic use*
  • Tears / physiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Cyclosporine