Topical cyclosporine a 0.05% eyedrops in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis - randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, bilateral inflammation of the conjunctiva that mostly affects children and young adult males. Management of VKC is primarily aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing serious vision threatening sequelae.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) 0.05% on the signs and symtomps in the management of VKC.

Material And Methods: This is a placebo-controlled, randomized prospective study. Sixty-two patients with VKC were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to treatment with topical 0.05% CsA eyedrops or a placebo (artificial tears) for a period of 4 weeks, 4 times daily. Ocular signs and symptoms were in all patients scored at entry and at the end of 4 weeks.

Results: When pre-treatment mean signs and symptoms scores were compared in both groups, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). However, mean post-treatment scores as regards signs and symptoms were found to be lower in cyclosporine group than those in placebo group (p < 0.001). No side effects of the treatment with CsA 0.05% eyedrops were observed.

Conclusions: It was found that topical CsA 0.05% eyedrops were safe and effective in the treatment of patients with VKC.