Clinical evaluation of the traditional chinese prescription Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan for dry eye.
BACKGROUND
Dry eye is a very common ocular disease characterized by eye dryness and photophobia. It often influences the patient's normal life. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of the Chinese herb, Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan, for treatment of dry eye patients. It is one of the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbs used for eyes, however, there are no scientific reports about its effect.


METHODS
This study included 80 dry eye patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with topical eye drops and Chi-Ju-Di-Huan-Wan. The control group was given topical eye drops and placebo. All patients received tear film examinations including Schirmer's test, Rose Bengal test, fluorescein stain test, break up time test and questionnaires.


RESULTS
The results of the tear film tests were analysed by two independent t-tests between the two groups. No significant differences between the two groups according to the Schirmer's test were found. There was a significant difference in the Rose Bengal test at week 2 and tear break up time at week 4 (p = 0.04, 0.04, individually).


CONCLUSIONS
Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan is an effective stabilizer of tear film and decreases the abnormality of corneal epithelium. It provides an alternative choice for dry eye treatment.
Chang
Yung-Hsien
YH
Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Lin
Hui-Ju
HJ
Li
Wei-Chu
WC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D019793:Fluorescein