Clinical and economic implications of topical cyclosporin A for the treatment of dry eye.

The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical, economic, and patient-reported outcomes related to topical cyclosporin A for the treatment of dry eye. The medical records of 181 patients with dry eye were reviewed (mean age, 67.6 yr; 72% women) for up to two years (average follow-up, 1.34 yr) before and after treatment with cyclosporin A 0.05% ophthalmic solution administered topically twice daily. Corneal staining, average discomfort scores, and patient satisfaction markedly improved, whereas the number of prescriptions for ancillary medications and dry eye-related visits to the ophthalmologist declined significantly during the treatment period. In a naturalistic clinical setting, topical cyclosporin A therapy improved the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, resulting in high patient satisfaction, fewer patients with chronic dry eye visiting the ophthalmologist, and less ancillary drug use.