TOPICAL CYCLOSPORINE-A IN THYGESONS SUPER FICIAL PUNCTATE KERATITIS -A PILOT-STUDY

Purpose It was the purpose of this prospective study to evaluate the e ffect of topical Ciclosporin 2% on epitherial and subepithelial opacit ies in Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis. Patients and Methods We administered Ciclosporin A 2% eye drops to 31 eyes of 17 patients with Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis. The initial dose was 3 drops daily during the first month. It was reduced according to the f ollowing scheme: 2 drops in the second month, 1 drop in the third mont h, 1 drop even, second day in the fourth to sixth months. Thereafter t herapy was stopped. Results The opacities were suppressed completely i n 21/31 eyes mostly after 4 weeks of therapy and incompletely in 8/31 eyes. Of the 21 eyes with complete suppression, 6/21 showed recurrent opacities when therapy was stopped after six months. 7/21 eyes had no recurrences after cessation of therapy. Follow-up of 8 eyes is current ly less than 6 months and these eyes still receive Ciclosporin A 2% ey e drops. All patients complained of a slight burning caused by the dro ps. Conclusions In the majority of patients with Thygeson's superficia l punctate keratitis topical Ciclosporin A 2% suppresses epithelial an d subepithelial opacities as long as this non-steroid therapy is admin istered at a low dose. In a considerable percentage therapy seems to b e curative.