PURPOSE: This study evaluates the use of topical cyclosporine 0.05% and sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% for the treatment of dry eye disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. METHODS: Twenty HIV-positive-patients were selected from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Hospital. Dry eye diagnosis was based on a dry eye questionnaire (Ocular Surface Disease Index - OSDI®), Schirmer I test, break up time and 1% rose bengal staining of the ocular surface. The patients were divided into two groups with ten patients (20 eyes). Group I received sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% drops and group II received sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% drops and topical cyclosporine 0.05% for six months. RESULTS: Comparing the results at the beginning and in the end of the treatment, the use of cyclosporine was superior (p < 0.05) for the Schirmer I test. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that topical cyclosporine improves lacrimal production and has an important role as an adjuvant therapy for dry eye disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.
Dry eye syndromes; keratoconjuntivitis sicca; Cyclosporine; Ophthalmic solutions; Administration, topical; HIV seropositivity
