Preliminary effects of oral uridine on the ocular surface in dry eye patients.
We designed a randomized, double blinded, 3-months controlled prospective clinical study to investigate effects of oral uridine on the ocular surface in dry eye patients. Twenty-seven patients who diagnosed as dry eye with lower than 5 mm of wetting in the Schirmer strip, with corneal epithelial erosion and who completely followed-up till 3 months were enrolled. Corneal-conjunctival fluorescein staining, non-anesthetic Schirmer test, impression cytology, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) were evaluated in the experimental and placebo groups at the baseline, 1 and 3 months after start of medication in a double blinded manner. Fluorescein stain score of the cornea was markedly decreased in oral uridine group compared to the placebo group at 3 months after medication (P=0.032, Mann-Whitney U test). The Schirmer wetting score for the oral uridine group was significantly increased (P=0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test) at 3 months and its difference between two groups was statistically significant (P=0.030, Mann-Whitney U test). OSDI scores were significantly decreased at 1 and 3 months in treatment group. Oral uridine is effective in treatment of dry eyes.
Chang
Ki Cheol
KC
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Oh
Joo Youn
JY
In
Youn Seok
YS
Kim
Mee Kum
MK
Shin
Ki Cheul
KC
Wee
Won Ryang
WR
Lee
Jin Hak
JH
Park
Myung Gyu
MG
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014529:Uridine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014529:Uridine