Efficacy of topical cyclosporin A 0.05% in conjunctival impression cytology specimens and clinical findings of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis in children.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporin A 0.05% in managing the symptoms of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). METHODS: Fifty-four children with severe VKC were included in this study. All 54 patients were treated with topical cyclosporin A (CsA) 0.05% for 3 months. Ocular signs and symptoms were scored in all patients at entry and after 3 months. Conjunctival impression cytology specimens were examined on the day of enrollment and at the end of the treatment period. RESULTS: The mean scores for severity of signs and symptoms significantly decreased after 3 months compared with those at entry (P<0.001). The density of inflammatory cells in the conjunctival impression cytology specimens decreased significantly. No side effects of the treatment with CsA 0.05% eyedrops were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Topical CsA 0.05% eyedrops were found to be safe and effective in the treatment of patients with VKC. Consistent with these results, topical CsA may efficiently reduce conjunctival inflammation in severe VKC.