New Dry Eye Therapy Studied at the University of Arizona

Article submitted by Jean Spinelli, Office of Public Affairs, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center.
For more information, she can be reached at 694-1460.

Dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is an extremely common condition, affecting more than 1 million people in the U.S., especially older adults, post-menopausal women, and those with Sjogren's Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Parkinson's and other chronic diseases.

Symptoms, which eventually may lead to vision loss, include a dry, gritty feeling in the eyes, or burning, made worse by low humidity or windy days.

Researchers in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine played an important role in the development of the first alternative to artificial tears for treating dry eye syndrome -- Restasis™. Clinical studies conducted at the UA ophthalmology department and several other centers around the country led to Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug last year.

The UA clinical study compared the safety and efficacy of Restasis™ with Refresh® in patients with mild to moderate dry eye syndrome. (Refresh® is a lubricant eye drop that acts as an artificial tear, temporarily replenishing eye moisture.) Allergan, Inc., manufacturer of both products, sponsored the study.

UA study participants using Restasis™ showed increased tear production and less need for artificial tears. Unlike artificial tears, Restasis™ helps treat the cause of dry eye syndrome: reduced tear production due to inflammation.
The immune systems of patients with dry eye syndrome reject their own tear-producing cells due to an inflammatory reaction caused by a number of factors, including decreased hormone production, eye surgery that reduces the sensation on the corneal surface, or poor blinking, as seen in Parkinson's disease patients.

Restasis™ contains 0.05 percent cyclosporin, a medication that, taken by mouth, prevents rejection of kidney, liver, heart and bone marrow transplants, and sometimes is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. In eye drop form, cyclosporin helps reduce inflammation of both the tear-producing lacrimal gland and the surface of the eye.
This new use of cyclosporin provides the first alternative therapy for this painful and frustrating condition, and it may prevent its progression to a more severe tear deficiency state. Restasis™ offers new hope to dry eye sufferers, who should ask their doctors if it may be right for them.

The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson is dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving eyesight through innovative research and comprehensive eye care for all patients whose vision is threatened by eye disease or injury. Founded in 1982, the Department has grown to include 20 faculty members, who handle 31,000 patient visits a year, and is among the top ophthalmology departments at U.S. universities receiving research funding from the National Institutes of Health.