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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following are the questions we’ve been asked most frequently by physicians treating Chronic Dry Eye.

As for questions your patients may ask you, click here to see the FAQ section on the RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion Consumer Web site.

How common is Chronic Dry Eye?
Up to 25% of all visits to eye doctors are due to dry eye, making it one of the most common complaints seen by eye doctors.
What causes Chronic Dry Eye?
Chronic irritation of the surface of the eye can eventually cause a disruption in the normal tear-producing system, including the lacrimal gland. This can result in a declining production and quantity of tears. High risk factors for Chronic Dry Eye include those individuals with health factors such as hormonal changes associated with aging and menopause, auto-immune diseases such as arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren's syndrome. Medical conditions, such as diabetes or blocked tear ducts, also can contribute to its onset.
What is RESTASIS® (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05%?
RESTASIS® is the only prescription therapy shown to increase tear production in Chronic Dry Eye patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Increased tear production was not seen in patients currently taking topical anti-inflammatory drugs or using punctal plugs.
Who is a candidate for RESTASIS®?
RESTASIS® is indicated to increase tear production in any patient whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivits sicca. Increased tear production was not seen in patients currently taking topical anti-inflammatory drugs or using punctal plugs.
Chronic Dry Eye sufferers who continue to use artificial tears several times a day with little success are potential candidates for RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion.
RESTASIS® is contraindicated in patients with active ocular infections and has not been studied in patients with a history of herpes keratitis.
How is RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion different from artificial tears?
Artificial tears temporarily lubricate the surface of the eye, but cannot increase tear production; RESTASIS® helps increase tear production in certain patients.
How is RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion different from punctal plugs?
Punctal plugs can help keep tears on the surface of the eye longer, but cannot increase tear production; RESTASIS® increases tear production in Chronic Dry Eye patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Do patients taking RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion have to continue using artificial tears?
Patients starting RESTASIS® should continue to use artificial tears, such as OPTIVE™ Lubricant Eye Drops, to allow RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion time to start working. Over time, when RESTASIS® delivers a peak increase in tear production, patients’ use of artificial tears may be reduced.
How should patients who wear contact lenses use RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion?
People with decreased tear production typically should not wear contact lenses. RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion should not be administered while wearing contact lenses. Patients must remove contact lenses before applying RESTASIS®. After applying RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion, patients must wait 15 minutes before putting their lenses back in.
How long does it take for RESTASIS® to increase tear production?
Patients who used RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion as directed — one drop twice a day — began to experience a noticeable increase in tear production within 1 month of starting treatment. Tear production continues to increase over time with continued use of RESTASIS®.
Can patients stop taking RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion once tear production is increased?
Since there is currently no cure, patients can continue to experience increased tear production with RESTASIS® by continuing to use it to treat their condition. 
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion contains cyclosporine. How does this affect the safety profile of RESTASIS®?
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion has a favorable safety profile. In fact, in clinical studies, there was no increase in infection, interaction with other drugs, increase in intraocular pressure, or detectable systemic drug absorption in the blood for up to 12 months of treatment.
The delivery vehicle for cyclosporine in RESTASIS® is a unique, oil-based ophthalmic emulsion. This emulsion technology provides effective drug delivery to ocular tissue and is effective with a very low cyclosporine concentration (0.05%). 
What are the most common side effects of RESTASIS®?
The most common side effect is a temporary burning sensation. Other side effects include eye redness, discharge, watery eyes, eye pain, foreign body sensation, itching, stinging, and blurred vision. 
How is RESTASIS® administered?
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion offers patients a simple BID regimen – 1 drop in each eye twice a day, 12 hours apart. RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion can be used concomitantly with artificial tears, allowing a 15 minute interval between products.
Is RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion covered by health insurance?
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion is approved by many prescription plans offered by major health insurers in the United States. For the specific details of a particular patient’s coverage, it is best for the patient to consult the specific insurance carrier for the most up-to-date information.
Are there drug-drug interactions between RESTASIS® and Lipitor® or any other “statin” drugs?
No. There are no known drug interactions between RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion and any other agent, including “statin” drugs like Lipitor®.* After 12 months of exposure in pivotal clinical trials, cyclosporine was not detectable in any samples.

*Lipitor is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.

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RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion is indicated to increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Increased tear production was not seen in patients currently taking topical anti-inflammatory drugs or using punctal plugs.

Important Safety Information:

RESTASIS® is contraindicated in patients with active ocular infections and has not been studied in patients with a history of herpes keratitis.

The most common adverse event was ocular burning (upon instillation) – 17%. Other events reported in 1% to 5% of patients included conjunctival hyperemia, discharge, epiphora, eye pain, foreign body sensation, pruritus, stinging, and visual disturbance (most often blurring).

Please see full prescribing information for RESTASIS® (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05%.