TOPICAL CYCLOSPORINE-A IN THE TREATMENT OF ANTERIOR SEGMENT INFLAMMATORY DISEASE

Topical cyclosporin A was used in the management of 43 patients with a variety of anterior segment inflammatory disorders that had failed co rticosteroid treatment. Treatment with topical cyclosporin A ranged fr om 1 week to 43 months, with a mean treatment period of 13 months. Thi rty-five patients (81%) with disorders including high-risk keratoplast y, atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, ligneous conjunctivitis, ul cerative keratitis, and Mooren's ulcer had a beneficial result, with r esolution, reduction, or prevention of inflammation. Six patients (14% ) with scleritis, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, or endotheliitis show ed no clinical improvement. Two patients (5%) had significant ocular d iscomfort, and the drug had to be discontinued in them. None of the ot her patients developed local side effects. Twenty-seven of these patie nts were followed with serial cyclosporin A blood levels and serum cre atinine. None of these patients developed measurable drug blood levels or renal toxicity.