Cyclosporine 0.05% Ophthalmic Preparation to Aid Recovery From Loss of Corneal Sensitivity After LASIK
Abstract
<H4>PURPOSE</H4><P> To determine whether cyclosporine (0.05%) can safely and effectively accelerate corneal nerve regeneration after LASIK, thereby facilitating faster recovery of corneal sensitivity.</P> <H4>METHODS</H4><P> This prospective, randomized, single-center clinical study comprised 44 eyes of 22 patients scheduled to undergo bilateral LASIK. One eye was randomly assigned to receive cyclosporine drops twice daily for 3 months in addition to standard postoperative LASIK medication. Corneal sensitivity was measured using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer in four areas outside and five areas inside the LASIK flap preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Safety parameters of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity and the incidence of adverse events were also collected.</P> <H4>RESULTS</H4><P> For all four points outside the LASIK flap, normal corneal sensitivity was maintained throughout the study. In addition, no significant difference was found between the cyclosporine-treated eyes and the control eyes at these points. All points within the LASIK flap except the point closest to the hinge demonstrated profound corneal hypoesthesia at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively with no differences noted between the control and cyclosporine-treated eyes. These same points had statistically significantly greater corneal sensitivity in the cyclosporine group relative to the control group (<I>P</I><U><</U>.011) at 3 months postoperatively.</P> <H4>CONCLUSIONS</H4><P> Cyclosporine was shown to significantly improve corneal sensitivity at 3 months after LASIK, which suggests that topical cyclosporine promotes enhanced corneal nerve regeneration. [<CITE>J Refract Surg.</CITE> 2008;24:337-343.]</P> <H4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</H4> <P>From the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arizona, and Arizona State University, Manicopa Hospital and Associated Retinal Consultants, Phoenix, Ariz (Peyman); University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, Chicago, Ill (Sanders); and Centro Láser, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Batlle, Féliz, Cabrera).</P> <P>Dr Peyman has a patent pending neuronal regeneration. The remaining authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the materials presented herein.</P> <P>Correspondence: Donald R. Sanders, MD, PhD, Center for Clinical Research, 242 N York Rd/Ste 102, Elmhurst, IL 60126. Tel: 630.530.9700 ext 12; Fax: 630.530.1636; E-mail: <A HREF="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A></P> <P>Received: July 5, 2007</P> <P>Accepted: January 18, 2008</P>
