Cyclosporine helps patients wear contacts longer

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Cyclosporine use reduced tear osmolarity and corneal and conjunctival staining and increased contact lens wearing time in patients who had tear hyperosmolarity, according to a poster presented here at the American Academy of Optometry meeting.

Thomas P. Kislan, OD, and Melissa Debello, OD, evaluated 102 patients with contact lens discomfort and mild to moderate dry eye disease who were treated with cyclosporine A for 6 months. They collected data on tear osmolarity with contact lenses in the eye, corneal and conjunctival staining, tear break-up time, Schirmer’s test and duration of wear at baseline, and 2 and 6 months.

Patients were divided into two groups: 13 patients had normal osmolarity (308 mOsm/L or less), and 89 patients had hyperosmolarity (greater than 308 mOsm/L).

The researchers found that the patients with hyperosmolarity had more severe dry eye disease, and that those who wore their contacts for only 8 hours or less had hyperosmolarity.

The use of cyclosporine reduced osmolarity at 2 and 6 months among those with initial hyperosmolarity, according to the poster. In addition, it increased contact lens wearing time and reduced corneal and conjunctival staining.

There was no difference in staining between the two groups at 6 months, they reported.

The researchers also found an increase in tear break-up time and Schirmer’s test results in those that experienced a reduction in osmolarity. – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Reference:

Kislan TP, et al. Effect of cyclosporine therapy on ocular surface health, comfort and duration of contact lens wear. Presented at American Academy of Optometry meeting; Anaheim, Calif.; Nov. 8-13, 2016.

Disclosure: The study was sponsored by Allergan. TearLab provided assistance with retrospective data analysis.