Effects of Cyclosporine Eye Drop Use on the Success of Punctoplasty in Acquired Punctal Stenosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cyclosporine-A (CsA) 0.05% eye drops for management of acquired punctal stenosis, either alone or in combination with punctoplasty.

METHODS

In this prospective study patients referred to the oculoplastics clinic with acquired punctal stenosis (APS) were divided into three groups. Group A consisted of patients treated with CsA, Group B consisted of patients who underwent punctoplasty, and Group C included patients treated with both CsA and punctoplasty. Munk score, fluorescein dye disappearence test (FDDT), punctal opening grading were evaluated at baseline, and at the 1st and 6th month follow-ups.

RESULTS

One hundred-eleven eyes of 80 patients were included in the study. While the punctum grade was significantly higher, the FDDT grade and Munk scores were significantly lower in group C compared to groups A and B at the 1st and 6th month follow-ups. The functional success rate was 69%, 79%, and 88% (p = .01), and the anatomical success rate was 77%, 77%, and 90% (p = .03) in Group A, B, and C, respectively, at the 6th month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of APS, the use of CsA alone and the punctoplasty procedure demonstrated comparable anatomical and functional success rates at the 6th month follow-up. However, combining CsA with punctoplasty enhances both anatomical and functional success rates.