The study consisted of 877 patients with defined moderate to severe dry eye. They were split into three treatment groups and treated twice daily. Group one received CsA 0.05%, group two received CsA 0.1% and the third group was administered a placebo. The significant improvement in groups one and two were accompanied by few side effects.

Study author Kenneth Sall, M.D., said, "What is unique about CsA is that it may actually treat what we believe to be a cause of the disease, not just the symptoms."

CsA is still under FDA review.