Cyclosporine A may speed post-LASIK visual acuity recovery

This single-center open-label study retrospectively compared the recovery of uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) after LASIK in patients who followed either a standard postoperative treatment regimen or added topical cyclosporine A 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, Calif.) to this regimen. The study's researchers found that cyclosporine A use was associated with overall better and faster UCVA recovery in these patients, all of whom did not have dry eye before undergoing the procedure. Cyclosporine A 0.05% in the form of Restasis may be an effective treatment for reducing the time needed for visual recovery after LASIK.

Subjects in the study were 45 patients (85 eyes) who underwent LASIK to correct myopia or myopia with astigmatism up to 6.00 D during a nine-month period in 2004. For 12 weeks, 20 patients (36 eyes) followed the standard postoperative regimen of using topical steroid drops and antibiotic drops for seven days and artificial tears twice daily for 90 days. Use of topical cyclosporine A two times daily for 90 days was added to this regimen in 25 patients (49 eyes).

The cyclosporine A group had better UCVA one week, one month and three months after LASIK than the standard treatment group. Although the mean UCVA in both groups continued to improve up to three months after LASIK, the last follow-up visit included in the study, the difference between them remained significant.

Financial Disclosures
Dr. Stahl is a consultant for AcuFocus, Inc.