A Novel Multi-Ingredient Supplement Reduces Inflammation of the Eye and Improves Production and Quality of Tears in Humans

• Published in: Ophthalmology and therapy 2021-09, Vol.10 (3), p.581-599
• Main Authors: Radkar, Pranav, Lakshmanan, Prabhu Shankar, Mary, Jenet Jemila, Chaudhary, Sunil, Durairaj, Sathish Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Ophthalmology; Original Research
• ISSN: 2193-8245; 2193-6528
• DOI: 10.1007/s40123-021-00357-y

Introduction Dry eye is a multifactorial condition of the eye caused by insufficient tear production and imbalance in tear composition leading to faster evaporation of tear fluid. It is also associated with inflammation that often leads to ocular surface damage. Symptoms of dry eyes include itchiness, soreness, red eyes, a burning sensation, eye fatigue and blurred vision. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of our multi-ingredient supplement in subjects with dry eye syndrome (DES). Methods We recruited 60 subjects with mild to moderate DES who were randomized in a 1:1 ratio in a single-center study to receive LCD (lutein 20 mg, zeaxanthin 4 mg, curcumin 200 mg curcuminoids, vitamin D3 600 IU) or placebo (soybean oil) capsules for 8 weeks. The primary outcomes evaluated were changes in tear volume by Schirmer’s test and ocular symptoms by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI); secondary outcomes included evaluation of changes in Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire, tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival staining, tear osmolarity, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), artificial tear use and safety assessments. The outcomes were compared between the LCD and placebo groups at baseline and day 56 of supplementation. Results Fifty-nine subjects, 30 from LCD and 29 from placebo group, completed the study. The LCD group showed significant improvements ( P