Mastering Dry Eye Relief: The Benefits and Uses of Cyclosporine Eye Drops

Red, itchy, and irritated eyes can be frustrating
Treating symptoms of dry eyes is essential for your eye health and vision. Although dry eyes are a common medical condition, they still affects your quality of life and daily comfort. The sensation of burning eyes has several causes and symptoms. Cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic solution is the only eye drop approved by the FDA to treat symptoms of chronic dry eyes, and it may be an option for you.

What Are Dry Eyes?

Dry eye(s) is a common medical condition that develops when tears don't provide enough lubrication for your eyes. Your vision is dependent on the quality of your tears. Tears are essential for maintaining moisture as well as lubrication to provide clear vision and protection to the cornea (front surface of the eye). The production of tears is fundamental in decreasing the risk of eye infections, removing foreign contaminants from the eye, and keeping the cornea clear.

Why Are My Eyes So Dry?

1. Insufficient tear production. Symptoms may occur when the normal amount of tear formation is reduced and/or tears evaporate rapidly from the eye.
2. Your Environment. An air conditioner, heater, hairdryer, dry climates, smoke, and wind can dry out your tear film. As a result, an increase in tear evaporation causes a reduction in tear volume.
3. Age. Tear production begins to decrease at the age of 50. If you’re over the age of 65, you may be more susceptible to experiencing symptoms of dry eyes.
4. Underlying Medical Conditions. Certain diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, diabetes, Blepharitis (when your eyelids are swollen or red due to increased tear evaporation), and Sjogren’s Syndrome (inability to make tears), are more prone to developing dry eyes.
5. Gender. Women are more likely to develop dry eyes. Commonly with hormonal imbalance caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, and menopause.
6. Medications. Adverse drug reactions from particular medications such as antihistamines (allergy and cold medications), diuretics for high blood pressure, beta-blockers for heart problems or high blood pressure, decongestants, sleeping pills, heartburn medications, and anxiety and antidepressant medications can decrease your tear production.
7. Contact lenses. Wearing your contact lenses for an extended period can increase your risk of developing dry eyes.
8. Looking at your computer screen for a long time.
9. Undergoing refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK.
10. Vitamin A deficiency. Caused by diets that are low in vitamin A (found in the liver, carrots, and broccoli), or low in omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, walnuts, and vegetable oils).

Symptoms

When tears don't provide enough moisture, you may experience:

• Gritty or scratchy sensation in your eye(s)
• Redness or irritation
• Stinging and/or burning sensation
• Sensitive to light
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision, especially when reading
• Itching
• There are strings of mucus in or around your eye(s)
• Painful to wear contact lenses
• Experiencing an increase in the amount of tears in your eyes

What is Cyclosporine Ophthalmic (Generic of Restasis)?

Cyclosporine ophthalmic (for eye use) is the generic drug for the prescription medication, Restasis, which is FDA-approved to treat chronic dry eye that's caused by inflammation. Due to chronic dry eye, your eyes don’t retain moisture as they’re supposed to. Restasis contains the active drug cyclosporine. It belongs to a class of medications called calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressants. When experiencing dry eyes, cyclosporine is used to increase tear production by decreasing the swelling.

Cyclosporine Ophthalmic (eye drops) is a liquid emulsion (an oily liquid mixture) available in one strength, 0.05 mg/mL, and a single-use vial.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat (not in the bathroom).

Dosing

1 drop of cyclosporine (0.05% strength) in each eye 2 times a day, about 12 hours apart.

Steps to Instilling Your Eye Drops:

1. Wash your hands before using this medication.
2. Refrain from touching the tip of the eye dropper or placing it directly on your eye. Contaminating the dropper can increase your risk of an eye infection, resulting in vision problems.
3. Gently tilt your head back and pull down your lower eyelid with your index finger to create a small pocket.
4. While looking up, hold the dropper (tip down) above your eye with your other hand and squeeze a single drop into the lower eyelid pocket. Close your eyes for 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Lightly press your finger to the inner corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.
6. Wait at least 15 minutes before inserting contact lenses or using any artificial tears.
7. After you’ve placed a drop in your eye(s), throw the vial away. Don't save the leftover medication. Saving the leftover medication can cause an infection because there are no preservatives in it to prevent bacteria from growing.

What Are Common Side Effects of Cyclosporine?

• Mild eye pain, irritation, or itching
• Mild redness of the white part of your eye(s) or inside of your eyelid
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Feeling like something is in your eye

Before Taking Cyclosporine

• Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• Cyclosporine is NOT approved for use if you are under the age of 16 years.

Where To Get Cyclosporin 0.05% Ophthalmic Solution (Restasis)

Don't let your eyes go untreated. Inflammation is proven to play a key role in causing dry eyes, leading to a decrease in tear production. Overall, Cyclosporine 0.05% Ophthalmic solution has not only been shown to significantly improve symptoms of chronic dry eye(s) but also alleviate your discomfort.

Talk to your healthcare provider about using Cyclosporine 0.05% Ophthalmic solution and send your prescription to Marley Drug. Save up to 95% compared to your local pharmacy by using Marley Drug