Background and Importance Ciclosporin 1 mg/ml eye drops is indicated for the use of xerophthalmia in patients with severe keratitis unresponsive to artificial tears. Ocular dryness is a refractory symptom of many systemic pathologies. It is difficult to manage clinically and therapeutic options are limited.

Aim and Objectives To review the tolerance of patients to cyclosporine 1 mg/ml eye drops, as well as the rate of associated eye infections and the feeling of improvement evaluated by the patient himself.

Material and Methods Retrospective study carried out in a 350-bed general hospital. Patients who had started treatment with cyclosporine 1mg/ml eye drops from 2018 to 2022 and who had been diagnosed with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KS), Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), Graves-Basedow syndrome (GBS) with xerophthalmia were studied. Data collected: sex, median age [range], pathology, positive Schirmer test (< 5 mm), associated eye infections during treatment, treatment of these infections, discontinuation of cyclosporine due to infections, tolerance to treatment, discontinuation due to poor tolerance and clinical improvement perceived by the patient. Data obtained from the digital medical record, the assisted electronic prescription program (Dominion^®) and the clinical interview with the patient in the pharmacy consultation

Results 37 patients. 25 women (67.57%). Median age 46[4-75]. Patients with SS 14 (37.84%), KS 19 (51.5%), GBS 4 (10.81%). All (100%) of them with positive Schirmer test (< 5 mm). Associated eye infections during treatment 11 (29.73%), need for antibiotic treatment 9 (24.32%). Patients who left the treatment for any circumstance 20 (54.05%), due to poor tolerance 14 (37.84%). Patients that perceived clinical improvement 21 (56.77%).

Conclusion and Relevance Xerophthalmia is a hard to control symptom in systemic pathologies. Treatment with cyclosporine eye drops is an alternative for those patients. Some do not tolerate the drug correctly and it is necessary to resort to other treatment strategies. Associated infections could be a risk factor for discontinuing cyclosporine eye drops, but each patient must be evaluated individually and closely monitored for possible complications that may arise from treatment. The response to ciclosporin treatment improved patient’s life quality.

Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest.