Efficacy of cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion in contact lens wearers with dry eyes

Purpose. To assess the efficacy of cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) in the treatment of contact lens wearers with dry eyes. Methods. Contact lens wearers citing dry eye problems were identified through chart review. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group, receiving vials of cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion to use twice daily, or a placebo group, receiving vials of rewetting drops (Refresh Preservative Free Artificial Tears; Allergan, Inc.) to use twice daily. Corneal staining, tear film breakup time, and Schirmer test results were documented at baseline and after 3 months. Participants also completed questionnaires, the Ocular Surface Disease Index, and the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life Instrument at baseline and after 3 months. Results. For all parameters, including objective findings and subjective reporting of symptoms, there was no statistically significant difference between the treatment and placebo groups, Conclusions. This study did not detect a beneficial effect in using cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion over rewetting drops for contact lens wearers. This may be attributable to the small sample size. It is also possible that the mechanism of the dry eye state in contact lens wearers may be different from that of other dry eye states and thus make cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion an ineffective treatment.