Clinical effectiveness of topical cyclosporine a 0.05% after laser epithelial keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% after laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK). METHODS: This retrospective nonrandomized comparative analysis was performed in 40 patients (80 eyes) with myopia who underwent flap-off LASEK. Twenty patients (group A) were treated with topical cyclosporine A 0.05% in combination with conventional treatment, and 20 patients (group B) received conventional treatment only. In each group, 10 patients had preoperative dry eye. Uncorrected visual acuity, refractive error, corneal haze grade, symptom score, and ocular surface parameters were measured in both groups before LASEK and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in postoperative uncorrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, corneal haze grade, Schirmer test values, and keratoepitheliopathy scores. Group A had lower symptom scores (0.80 ± 0.52 vs.1.35 ± 0.49; P < 0.01) and higher tear film break-up time (BUT) (8.05 ± 1.39 vs. 6.55 ± 1.39 seconds; P < 0.01) compared with group B at 4 weeks after LASEK. In addition, in preoperative dry eye patients, symptom scores and tear film BUT returned to preoperative level at 4 weeks postoperatively in group A, whereas they returned to preoperative level at 8 weeks in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with topical cyclosporine A 0.05% can improve ocular discomfort and increase tear film BUT during the early postoperative period, especially in patients with preoperative dry eye.