Efficacy of topical cyclosporine for the treatment of ocular rosacea

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% with an artificial tear solution for the treatment of rosacea-associated eyelid and corneal pathology. Double-masked, randomized, 3-month clinical trial of 37 patients with rosacea-associated eyelid and corneal changes (defined as lid margin telangiectasia, meibomian gland inspissation, and/or fullness of the lid margin). All findings were standardized and compared to photographs for grading. There was a statistically significant increase in Schirmer (with anesthesia) scores of 2.7 +/- 2.2 mm after 3 months of treatment in the topical cyclosporine group (P < 0.001), compared with a mean decrease of -1.4 +/- 4.6 mm (P=0.271) in the artificial tears group. The mean tear break-up time score significantly improved in the topical cyclosporine group (mean increase of 3.56 +/- 1.5 seconds, P < 0.001), but worsened in the control group, although this change was not significantly significant (mean decrease of -0.04 +/- 1.6 seconds, P=0.929). The topical cyclosporine group exhibited a significantly greater mean reduction in corneal staining scores (-1.3 +/- 0.53) compared with the control group (-0.2 +/- 0.83; between groups P < 0.001). The topical cyclosporine group had a greater improvement in Ocular Surface Disease Index scores than those using artificial tears (P=0.022). Limitations of the study included an older, predominantly Caucasian patient population and short trial length. Topical cyclosporine 0.05% is more effective than artificial tears for the treatment of rosacea-associated lid and corneal changes.