Treatment of glaucomatous patients by means of food supplement to reduce the ocular discomfort: a double blind randomized trial

• Published in: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences Vol. 17; no. 8; p. 1117
• Main Authors: Nebbioso, M, Rusciano, D, Pucci, B, Zicari, A M, Grenga, R, Pescocolido, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Colforsin - administration & dosage; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Dry Eye Syndromes - therapy; Glaucoma - drug therapy; Humans; Middle Aged; Riboflavin - administration & dosage; Rutin - administration & dosage; Thiamine - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 1128-3602

Chronic use of multi-dose eye drops containing preservatives, such as it may happen in patients affected by primary open angle glaucoma, often results in a damage of the ocular surface due to the inherent toxicity of preservatives, that with time may lead to a lacrimal dysfunction syndrome and eye dryness. This double blind, randomized, pilot study was conducted on 38 glaucomatous patients suffering from dry eye induced by long-term use of eye drops preserved with BAK. Treatment of these patients with a food supplement containing an association of forskolin, rutin and vitamins B1 and B2 for 30 days increased significantly their OPI values and improved the symptoms of dry eye with respect to a placebo-treated control group. The association of forskolin, rutin and vitamins B1 and B2 appears to be protective for the ocular surface, contributing to restore a normal equilibrium of the tear film in those subjects in which toxic agents such as BAK had determined alterations of its homeostasis.