Abstract: Corneal changes with Restasis (not)

Here's a good one for those who obsess about potential side effects of Restasis. Looks harmless from this standpoint, for usre.

Then there are all those who believe Restasis is just a really expensive artificial tear of sorts, but we needn't go there, need we?

Evaluation of Corneal Morphologic and Functional Parameters After Use of Topical Cyclosporine-A 0.05% in Dry Eye.

Purpose: To report the effect of topical Cyclosporine-A (CsA) 0.05% on corneal morphologic and functional parameters in patients with dry eye.
 Method:
In this prospective and observational, 30 eyes of 30 patients who received topical CsA 0.05% for treatment of dry eye were evaluated. Each clinical examination included a routine clinical examination with the Schirmer I test, and tear film break-up time (TBUT) was performed at baseline and after 1, 2, 3, and 6 months of treatment. All participants also underwent central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements with ultrasound pachymetry, endothelial cell density (ECD) with specular microscopy, corneal topographical evaluation with Orbscan II, and corneal biomechanical parameters with Ocular Response Analyzer measurements at baseline and after treatment.
 Results:
The Schirmer I test and TBUT were significantly improved after treatment (for both; P<0.01). The CCT, topographical findings, ECD, and corneal biomechanical parameters were not significantly different at baseline and follow-up visits (P>0.05). No serious adverse effects were seen at follow up visits.
 Conclusion:
The study showed that Topical CsA 0.05% caused no changes on corneal morphologic and functional parameters.

J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2012 Jun 26. [Epub ahead of print]

Kara N, Altinkaynak H, Goker Y, Yuksel K, Yildirim Y.

Source

1 Department of Ophthalmology, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Education and Research Hospital , Istanbul, Turkey .