ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of Optibiol(R), which is composed of multiple anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory dietary elements, on the symptoms, clinical manifestations, and expression of various inflammatory cytokines in dry eye patients. METHODS: Patients suffering from dry eye were given Optibiol(R) for 3 months. They completed questionnaires regarding dry eye symptom and underwent slit lamp biomicroscopic examinations, tear film breakup times, Shirmer tests, and conjunctival fluorescein staining examinations on a monthly basis during the intake of Optibiol(R). Sampling of serum and tears was conducted at baseline and 3 months after taking Optibiol(R), and various inflammatory cytokines in the serum and tears were measured with multiplex bead immunoassay. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were included in this study. After taking Optibiol(R), the dry eye symptoms, Schirmer scores, tear film breakup times, and conjunctival staining scores (Oxford scale) showed significant improvement, and the expression of most inflammatory cytokines had decreased: in particular, IL-1 beta and MIP-1 beta in serum, and IL-17 and MIP-1 beta in tears were significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: Optibiol(R), an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory functional dietary supplement, is an effective dietary supplement in patients with dry eye syndrome. We posit that the decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines is an important mechanism in this effect.