Antioxidants Intake and Dry Eye Syndrome: A Crossover,Placebo-Controlled,Randomized Trial

Abstract

Purpose

To assess whether an orally administered antioxidant dietary supplement could improve the objective clinical signs and alleviate the subjective symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

Methods

Twenty-four subjects diagnosed with dry eye syndrome were randomized in a crossover, double-blind, controlled, randomized study to receive a placebo or an antioxidants combination (Oxybiane^®) for 12 weeks. In all subjects, break-up time (BUT) test, Schirmer test, ocular symptoms (sore eyes, burning, itching, sensation of foreign object in the eye, photophobia, sticky eyes, and redness), visual comfort, and general well-being were evaluated weekly.

Results

After 12 weeks of supplementation with Oxybiane^®, both the BUT scores (27.3%±8.4% with Oxybiane^® versus 3.61%±4.3% with the placebo, p=0.017) and the Schirmer scores (26.9%±14.2% with Oxybiane^® versus −4.7%±3.4% with the placebo, p=0.037) were significantly increased. A significantly improvement was also observed considering subjective clinical symptoms such as burning (p=0.031), itching (p=0.027), sensation of foreign body in eye (p=0.030), and redness (p=0.043).

Conclusions

Supplementation with oral antioxidants can improve both tear stability and quantity but also subjective clinical signs.