The use of topical cyclosporin A in ocular graft-versus-host-disease

Ocular manifestations of GVHD include keratoconjunctivitis sicca, cicatricial lagophthalmos, sterile conjunctivitis, persistent corneal epithelial defects, corneal ulcers and corneal melting. Conventional initial therapy such as lubrication and topical steroids is directed to treat decreased tear production and ocular surface abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the possible benefit of topical cyclosporin A 1% (CsA) as an adjunct in managing ocular surface abnormalities in five cases of GVHD refractory to conventional therapy. Five clinical case reports of chronic GVHD patients in whom conventional therapy was inadequate to stop the progression from its initial presentation are described. Patient presentation varied in severity on a spectrum of mild to moderate diffuse punctate epithelial erosions to sterile necrotizing corneal melts. Although systemic therapy for GVHD consisting of systemic immunosuppressants (ie cyclosporin A and corticosteroids) was given to these patients, this therapy was insufficient in managing the ocular manifestations of the disease. Topical CsA was added to the treatment regimen and the progression of the ocular disease was recorded. The addition of topical CsA 1% probably helped in controlling the epithelial keratitis and melting process in our reported cases and we conclude that topical CsA may be an appropriate modality in managing ocular surface abnormalities in patients with ocular GVHD after conventional treatments have been tried. However, a further randomized clinical prospective study is needed to evaluate the efficacy of topical CsA in managing these problems in GVHD patients.