Topical Ophthalmic Cyclosporine For The Treatment Of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca In Patients With Fibromyalgia

1. Sitki Samet Ermis¹
2. Tuncay Kusbeci¹
3. Guliz Yavas¹
4. Umit Ubeyt Inan¹

¹University of Afyon Kocatepe, School of Medicine, Afyon, Turkey

Purpose: Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by chronic widespread pain and muscle tenderness. Ocular discomfort is a common symptom in fibromyalgia and many patients report symptoms of dry eye. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of topical cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic solution in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in primary fibromyalgia patients.

Methods: Thirty-two eyes of 16 fibromyalgia patients diagnosed as KCS were treated by topical cyclosporine. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, Schirmer test (without anesthesia), tear-film break up time (TBUT) and Rose-Bengal dye test were assessed to patients before and 6 months after the treatment.

Results: All of the patients were female and their mean age was 53.4 ± 6.3 years. None of the patients reported major burning on cyclosporine instillation and none of them had uncertain compliance with regular drug use. Statistically significant decrease was found in OSDI and Rose-Bengal dye test scores, statistically significant increase was found in Schirmer and TBUT scores (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that primary fibromyalgia patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca may benefit from topical cyclosporine 0.05% twice daily.