PURPOSE: To evaluate normal Tenon capsule fibroblasts and from pterygia in culture when exposed to cyclosporin 0.05%. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study was done, involving 20 patients with primary pterygium. Samples of normal and pterygium Tenon's capsule from the same individual were collected, cultured and exposed to cyclosporin 0.05%. RESULTS: Only 7 samples could be exposed to cyclosporin - 6 from pterygial Tenon's capsule and 1 from normal Tenon's capsule. There was a significant reduction of cellular proliferation in the cyclosporin exposed cultures (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Cyclosporin 0.05% is effective to inhibit the proliferation of pterygia and normal Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. Further studies should be performed to define the role of cyclosporin in pterygium treatment.
Pterygium; Cyclosporins, Immunosuppressive agents; Cell culture techniques; Fibroblasts
