Probiotics, prebiotics may help manage dry eye
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SAN DIEGO — Modifying gut function with probiotics and prebiotics can improve inflammation and, consequently, the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, said a researcher during a virtual American Academy of Optometry press conference.
“One important thing about dry eye disease is that it has an inflammatory component,” Azadeh Tavakkolinasab, an optometrist and PhD candidate at the University of South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Science in Sydney, said during the academy-sponsored event. “Inflammation can be controlled by many factors, and one is by modifying the gut function, which can be done with probiotics and prebiotics.”
Tavakkolinasab said she and her colleagues sought to investigate whether introducing oral probiotics and prebiotics would reduce the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in a double-masked, randomized, controlled trial.
The 41 participants with dry eye disease received either probiotics and prebiotics (n = 23) or placebo (n = 18). They were evaluated at baseline, 1 month and 4 months, and then 1 month after treatment cessation.
“We evaluated dry eye symptoms with the Ocular Surface Disease Index and Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 and dry eye signs with tear osmolarity, noninvasive keratography tear break-up time, ocular surface staining, tear meniscus height, lipid layer thickness and conjunctival redness,” Tavakkolinasab said.
“After 1 month of taking probiotic and prebiotic supplements, in the treatment and control groups the symptoms improved,” she said. “After 4 months of taking supplements, only symptoms in the treatment group improved.”
Researchers saw no significant changes in dry eye signs after 4 months of taking supplements, Tavakkolinasab added.
“The study indicated that by taking probiotic and prebiotic supplements we can effectively manage dry eye disease,” she concluded. “This can lead to potential alternative treatments for this condition.
“There’s a need for future investigations to customize probiotics and/or prebiotics to treat dry eye specifically,” she added.
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Tavakkolinasab A, et al. The impact of probiotics and prebiotics on dry eye disease signs and symptoms. Presented at: Academy; Oct. 26-29, 2022; San Diego.
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