Effect of nutritional supplement based on melatonin on the intraocular pressure in normotensive subjects.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of a new nutritional supplement based on melatonin on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive subjects. A short-term prospective study was designed. Sixty-seven normotensive subjects were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups. The daily group (DG) (n = 18) was instructed to take the supplement between 22:00 and 23:00 (before sleeping) for 3 consecutive days. IOP was measured from 10.00 to 11.00am the day before treatment and during the 3days of experiment. The acute group (AG) (n = 49) was instructed to take the supplement after the second measure (11.00) of the second day. IOP was measured 1h and just before the intake of the supplement and 1 and 2h after. All measurements in this group were taken 1day before without any supplement (control) and the day of experiment. The DG group showed a significant decrease in IOP after supplement intake in all days of experiment, from 14.9 ± 3.4mmHg to 13.8 ± 2.9mmHg after 3days of experiment (p value < 0.001). For AG, IOP did not change during the control day; however, a reduction of 1mmHg was found 2 and 3h after supplement intake, from 15.7 ± 2.5mmHg to 14.7 ± 2.5mmHg and 15.1 ± 2.7mmHg, respectively, being statistically significant (p value < 0.001). The supplement based on melatonin was able to reduce the IOP in normotensive subjects after 2h of intake. Moreover, the daily intake showed a reduction in IOP during the 3days of experiment.