Original Articles April 01, 2009 April 01, 2009

Topical cyclosporine 0.05% for the treatment of dry eye disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

DOI: 10.1590/S0034-72802009000200004

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the use of topical cyclosporine 0.05% and sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% for the treatment of dry eye disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. METHODS: Twenty HIV-positive-patients were selected from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Hospital. Dry eye diagnosis was based on a dry eye questionnaire (Ocular Surface Disease Index – OSDI^®), Schirmer I test, break up time and 1% rose bengal staining of the ocular surface. The patients were divided into two groups with ten patients (20 eyes). Group I received sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% drops and group II received sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% drops and topical cyclosporine 0.05% for six months. RESULTS: Comparing the results at the beginning and in the end of the treatment, the use of cyclosporine was superior (p < 0.05) for the Schirmer I test. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that topical cyclosporine improves lacrimal production and has an important role as an adjuvant therapy for dry eye disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.