Abstract

TOPICAL CYCLOSPORINE A – ROLE IN RECURRENT ANTERIOR UVEITIS

Dr. Mona Sune* andDr. P. G. Sune

Abstract

For many years, uveitis was considered a single disease entity; therefore, the approach to treatment varied very little. As knowledge of the disease process grew and the sophistication of immunologic and microbiologic testing increased the fact that uveitis entails a multitude of diseases became clear. Although some diseases are local ocular immune phenomena, many of them are systemic diseases with ocular manifestations. Anterior uveitis is often perceived to be the presenceof “cell and flare” in the anterior chamber, which has led to a large variability in pastreports of uveitis in the literature. Studies show that anterior uveitis is the most prevalent form of uveitis, and about half of these cases are idiopathic.[2-5] This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of topical cyclosporin 0.1% to treat anterior uveitis, a sight-threatening eye inflammation caused by an immune system abnormality. Previous studies in humans have shown that, taken by mouth, the drug cyclosporin is effective in treating chronic uveitis. Uveitis may require long-term treatment with potent immune-suppressing drugs, such as cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine or steroids. Taken systemically (by mouth or injection), however, these drugs can do serious damage to the kidneys, liver or lungs, and can raise blood pressure and lower blood cell counts. Because of this, some patients cannot or will not use these medicines.

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