Topical cyclosporine A 0.5% as a possible new treatment for superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: To report the early success of the use of topical cyclosporine A 0.5% drops to treat Theodore's superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK).

DESIGN

A retrospective noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Five patients diagnosed with SLK.

INTERVENTION: All five patients were treated with topical cyclosporine A 0.5% drops as primary or adjunctive therapy after treatment failure in some of prednisolone acetate 1% drops and topical silver nitrate 0.5% application. Topical cyclosporine A 0.5% drops were used four times a day in both eyes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resolution of symptoms (foreign body sensation and irritation) and signs (rose bengal staining, tarsal papillary reaction, and injection).

RESULTS

All five patients had long-term (6 months to 3 years) improvement of irritation and foreign body sensation, as well as improvement of injection and filamentary keratitis. Aside from burning on instillation, there were no complications related to this therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical cyclosporine A 0.5% is helpful as primary or adjunctive therapy for SLK. It may also be used as a maintenance drug to prevent recurrence. Further study may delineate the specific role and treatment parameters for the use of topical cyclosporine A 0.5% in the treatment of SLK.