New clinical research supports treatment for post-menopausal dry eye

Date: Oct-06-2013Study findings published in the October issue of Cornea show that daily dietary supplementation with a unique combination of omega fatty acids (GLA, EPA and DHA) for six months is effective in improving ocular irritation symptoms and halting the progression of inflammation that characterizes moderate to severe dry eye.

The multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated 38 post-menopausal women with tear dysfunction in both eyes. HydroEye® (ScienceBased Health®) was found to improve ocular irritation symptoms, suppress ocular surface inflammation, and maintain corneal surface smoothness. An irregular corneal surface contributes to both irritation and problematic visual symptoms.

More than half of peri and post-menopausal women are estimated to suffer from dry eye. The impact of dry eye on quality of life can be significant, and was rated as equivalent to that of heart disease (unstable angina) in one study.

The trial was conducted at Baylor College of Medicine and Virginia Eye Consultants by dry eye researchers John D. Sheppard, MD, MMSc, President, Virginia Eye Consultants, Professor of Ophthalmology, Clinical Director of the Lee Laboratory for Ocular Pharmacology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and co-principal investigator who initiated this research project, and Stephen C. Pflugfelder, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, James and Margaret Elkins chair, Director of The Ocular Surface Center, Baylor College of Medicine-Cullen Eye Institute and co-principal investigator of the trial.

"Within three months, the group treated with HydroEye showed statistically significant improvements in irritation symptoms of dry eye, and no progression of ocular surface inflammation or corneal irregularity. The placebo group's dry eye symptoms actually worsened over the six-month testing period" said Pflugfelder. "HydroEye clearly had a positive impact on these patients with moderate to severe dry eye."

While there are other dry eye treatment options available, most have unpleasant side effects, provide only transient relief, or have high costs, and/or compliance issues. "Given these parameters, HydroEye is among the safest, best tolerated, efficacious, and most cost-effective of all dry eye therapies," said Dr. Sheppard. "I recommend HydroEye to all of my dry eye patients."

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.