Effectiveness of cyclosporine-steroid treatment after cataract surgery according to dry eye severity

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of topically administered 0.05% cyclosporine combined with a topical steroid in the early postoperative period after cataract surgery, and to compare the therapeutic efficacy according to the severity of dry eye. Methods: One hundred and fifty-six patients who underwent unilateral cataract surgery and received topical cyclosporine 0.05% for 8 weeks combined with a fluorometholone 0.1% steroid for 4-weeks were classified into three groups according to preoperative dry eye level: the control group, non-dry eye (n = 78); group 1, level I dry eye (n = 38); and group 2, level II dry eye (n = 40). The best-corrected distance visual acuity, intraocular pressure, dry eye symptom questionnaire (ocular surface disease index), tear film break-up time (TBUT), and Schirmer test-I (STI) were evaluated. Results: The preoperative score of dry eye symptoms improved significantly at one week postoperatively and continued to improve until postoperative 8-weeks in all groups, especially in group 2 compared with the control. Groups 1 and 2 showed significant improvement in the TBUT at one week, four weeks, and eight weeks postoperatively, compared to eight weeks postoperatively in the control; Group 2, especially, showed significant improvement in TBUT. There was no difference in STI value after cyclosporine-steroid treatment in the control group; however, a significant difference was observed at four weeks postoperatively in dry eyes. No significant differences in STI results were observed among the three groups. Conclusions: Use of topical cyclosporine 0.05% combined with a topical fluorometholone 0.1% steroid after cataract surgery is more effective in dry eyes level II than in non-dry eyes, especially those with TBUT and dry eye symptoms at eight weeks postoperatively.