Topical cyclosporin A in the treatment of anterior segment inflammatory disease

Topical cyclosporin A was used in the management of 43 patients with a variety of anterior segment inflammatory disorders that had failed corticosteroid treatment. Treatment with topical cyclosporin A ranged from 1 week to 43 months, with a mean treatment period of 13 months. Thirty-five patients (81%) with disorders including high-risk keratoplasty, atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, ligneous conjunctivitis, ulcerative keratitis, and Mooren's ulcer had a beneficial result, with resolution, reduction, or prevention of inflammation. Six patients (14%) with scleritis, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, or endotheliitis showed no clinical improvement. Two patients (5%) had significant ocular discomfort, and the drug had to be discontinued in them. None of the other patients developed local side effects. Twenty-seven of these patients were followed with serial cyclosporin A blood levels and serum creatinine. None of these patients developed measurable drug blood levels or renal toxicity.