Benefits and Safety of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Mild-To-Moderate Dry Eye Disease.

Ying Jie,Lihua Du,Peng Zhang,Ya Wen,Kai Cao,Ningli Wang,Yinghui Wang,Siyuan Li,Jingyi Wang,Lei Tian

doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.796951

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of astaxanthin in the treatment of mild-to-moderate dry eye disease (DED) in middle-aged and elderly patients.Methods: 120 eyes of 60 middle-aged and elderly patients with mild-to-moderate DED were enrolled in this prospective, one-group, quasi-experimental study. Six milligram Astaxanthin tablets (Weihong Haematococcus Pluvialis Astaxanthin, Hangzhou Xinwei Low Carbon Technology R&D Co., Ltd., China) were administered orally, twice daily for 30 ± 2 days. History of eye diseases, treatment, systemic disease, and medication before the test were recorded. In addition, the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, eyelid margin signs, meibomian gland (MG) expressibility, meibum quality, meibomian gland dropout (MGDR), Schirmer I test (SIt), tear meniscus height (TMH), bulbar conjunctiva congestion degree, blink frequency, incomplete blink rate, and thickness of tear film lipid layer were collected before treatment, 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment, and at the end of treatment. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior segment, fundus, discomfort symptoms and other adverse reactions were also monitored throughout the study to assess the safety.Results: OSDI score, NIBUT, BUT, CFS score, eyelid margin signs, MG expressibility, meibum quality, and blink frequency improved significantly to varying degrees after treatment compared with those before the treatment (P < 0.05), while TMH, SIt, conjunctival congestion, the thickness of tear film lipid layer, MGDR, incomplete blink rate, VA and IOP did not differ (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Oral administration of astaxanthin improves the symptoms and signs of middle-aged and elderly patients with mild-to-moderate DED.

Highlights

According to the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) II published in 2017, dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by the loss of homeostasis of the tear film and ocular symptoms, in which tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory abnormalities play etiological roles [1]
The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, eyelid margin signs, meibomian gland (MG) expressibility, meibum quality, meibomian gland dropout (MGDR), Schirmer I test (SIt), tear meniscus height (TMH), bulbar conjunctiva congestion degree, blink frequency, incomplete blink rate, and thickness of tear film lipid layer were collected before treatment, 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment, and at the end of treatment
According to the TFOS DEWS II published in 2017, dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by the loss of homeostasis of the tear film and ocular symptoms, in which tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory abnormalities play etiological roles [1]

Summary

Introduction

According to the TFOS DEWS II published in 2017, dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by the loss of homeostasis of the tear film and ocular symptoms, in which tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory abnormalities play etiological roles [1]. DED can cause a variety of ocular symptoms, such as dryness, burning, and blurred vision. It causes ocular surface damage, leading to corneal complications and permanent vision loss [2]. With the improvement in people’s life and accelerated population aging, the prevalence of DED increases gradually. As a common ocular disease, DED affects patients’ health and quality of life, and has even been associated with increased prevalence of depression [6]

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