AIM:To investigate the effect of 0.5g/L cyclosporine A for symptom and sign scores in patients with moderate to severe dry eye.

METHODS:Eighty patients(160 eyes)with moderate to severe dry eye were divided into two groups by double-blind and random principles:40 patients(80 eyes)in observation group were treated with 10g/L sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and 0.5g/L cyclosporine A eye drops, 40 patients(80 eyes)in the control group were treated with 10g/L sodium carboxymethyl cellulose eye drops. The changes of ocular sign and symptom scores were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:The total effective rate of observation group was 95.0%, which was significantly higher than that of control group(85.0%, P<0.05). Symptom scores before treatment in observation group and the control group were 36.1±4.4 and 36.4±4.5 points, respectively; symptom scores at 1 and 3mo after treatment were 25.2±3.2, 11.09±3.9 points in observation group, 29.4±4.1, 22.05±3.1 points in control group. The differences of the two groups before and after treatment were statistically significantly(P<0.05). The scores of observation group at 1 and 3mo after treatment were lower than those of control group(P<0.05). Before treatment, break-up time(BUT), Schirmer I test(SⅠt), fluorescein staining(FL)and ocular surface disease index(OSDI)scores had no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05). After treatment, the four parameters of observation group were improved significantly(P<0.05), while only FL and OSDI of control group were improved(P<0.05). The four parameters of observation group were higher than those of control group(P<0.05).Three eyes in observation group felt tingling during 14-28d of the drug using, 2 eyes in control group felt tingling and one eye in control group had conjunctival congestion. All the symptoms disappeared after 2d without stopping the drugs.

CONCLUSION:The 0.5g/L cyclosporine A eye drops can effectively relieve the symptoms and signs of moderate to severe dry eye, promote tear secretion, and improve ocular surface environment. The treatment effect is good.