Drug could help for dry eye

A drug commonly used to prevent rejection of kidney, liver and heart transplants could also help the millions of Americans who suffer from dry eye, according to new research.

Cyclosporine is a commonly used immunosuppressive drug, meaning it stops the body from producing certain antibodies. These types of drugs are frequently used to prevent the body from rejecting organ transplants. Researchers say a topical form of the drug has significantly improved tear production in patients with dry eye associated with Sjogren’s syndrome and other autoimmune diseases. In Sjogren’s syndrome, white blood cells attack the body’s moisture-producing glands. It affects between 1 million and 4 million Americans, and it can cause dry eyes, dry mouth, or fatigue.

During the trials, researchers tested the efficacy and safety of topical cyclosporine in patients with moderate to severe dry eye. Some of the patients suffered from an autoimmune disease, such as Sjogren’s syndrome, and some did not. Researchers used two different strengths of cyclosporine and found even when the smallest dose was administered, the drug was shown to significantly improve tear production in most of the patients, whether they suffered from an autoimmune disease or not.

Dry eye is a persistent dryness of the cornea and the conjunctiva -- the thin, transparent tissue that covers the outer surface of the eye. Decreased function of the tear glands or increased evaporation of tears causes the condition. Nearly 10 million Americans suffer from dry eye, and it can be a symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, certain medications, or even a Vitamin A deficiency. For many sufferers, over-the-counter eye drops do not work sufficiently. Researchers say cyclosporine will dramatically change the way dry eye disease is treated.

“Unlike artificial tears, topical cyclosporine treats the underlying cause of dry eye and leads to increased tear production in the majority of patients in our clinical studies,” says Scott Whitcup, M.D., senior author of the study from Allergan.

SOURCE: American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 23-28, 2003