No Cyclosporine Eye Drops in the UK
There are benefits associated with the treatment of Thygeson’s SPK using Cyclosporine. However, it needs to be used at a low concentration level. The treatment appears beneficial, yet it is not marketed at low concentrations in the UK under the National Health Service.
Discussions with a local consultant in Edinburgh suggests that while the long-term use of Corticosteroids is not advised because of its health risks; therfore, Cyclosporine could be more effective in the treatment of Thygeson’s SPK. So, why is Cyclosporine not available? This is because it is too expensive and difficult to source. However, if it is already available in stronger solutions, the ability to weaken the solution should provide the answer.
Thygeson’s Superficial Punctate Keratopathy is a recurring eye infection. There is some suggestion that the disease is caused by a virus. A test for the presence of a virus on the cornea will be checked as part of the diagnosis of Thygeson’s SPK. Many patients may not show a positive result for any virus, yet still present with flaring TSPK.
Cyclosporine is not routinely available at low concentrations for treating TSPK, and long-term Corticosteroids are not the solution. Therefore, there will need to be alternative treatments considered that are safe and effective at relieving symptoms that can be suitable for prolonged use in chronic cases of TSPK. The use of lubrication such as Carbomer 980 (Polyacrylic Acid 0.2% can be helpful in relieving symptoms, too. Bandage contact lenses are not always recommended because they can cause further infections.
The consultant’s view was that the disease will go away in time, although there is evidence to suggest in chronic cases that there can be many recurrences of Thygeson’s SPK over the lifetime of a patient.