The effect of additional topical cyclosporine or vitamin A on the ocular surface during antiglaucoma medication administration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of topical application of cyclosporine or vitamin A on the ocular surface during the concurrent administration of antiglaucoma drugs.

METHODS

Thirty rabbits were randomized into 5 groups. Group 1 was administered timolol, group 2 received travoprost, group 3 received a travoprost/timolol fixed combination solution, group 4 received timolol and travoprost, and group 5 received timolol, travoprost, and dorzolamide. Each group was divided into a subgroup that received only the antiglaucoma medication (subgroup A), a subgroup that received topical cyclosporine in addition to the antiglaucoma medication (subgroup B), and a subgroup that received topical vitamin A in addition to the antiglaucoma medication (subgroup C). Conjunctival impression cytology specimens were collected at baseline and at weeks 1, 3, and 6. Conjunctival biopsy specimens were collected at week 6.

RESULTS

The impression cytologic study results are as follows: statistically significant differences were found between groups 4A and 4B and between groups 4A and 4C at week 6 (p = 0.004, p = 0.006, respectively) and between groups 5A and 5B and between groups 5A and 5C at weeks 3 and 6 (p = 0.006, p = 0.008 at week 3, p = 0.003, p = 0.004 at week 6, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found between subgroup B and subgroup C in any of the groups at any of the times evaluated (p > 0.05). The conjunctival biopsy specimens from groups 1, 2, and 3 showed no distortion, but groups 4A and 5A showed distortion of the conjunctival epithelial structures. Groups 4B, 4C, 5B, and 5C showed less distortion of the conjunctival epithelial structures.

CONCLUSION

Administration of cyclosporine or vitamin A may reduce the adverse ocular surface changes caused by long-term administration of antiglaucoma drugs.