title: Treatment of glaucomatous patients by means of food supplement to reduce the ocular discomfort: a double blind randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic use of multi-dose eye drops containing preservatives, such as it may happen in patients affected by primary open angle glaucoma, often results in a damage of the ocular surface due to the inherent toxicity of preservatives, that with time may lead to a lacrimal dysfunction syndrome and eye dryness.
  
  
  METHODS
  This double blind, randomized, pilot study was conducted on 38 glaucomatous patients suffering from dry eye induced by long-term use of eye drops preserved with BAK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of these patients with a food supplement containing an association of forskolin, rutin and vitamins B1 and B2 for 30 days increased significantly their OPI values and improved the symptoms of dry eye with respect to a placebo-treated control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association of forskolin, rutin and vitamins B1 and B2 appears to be protective for the ocular surface, contributing to restore a normal equilibrium of the tear film in those subjects in which toxic agents such as BAK had determined alterations of its homeostasis.
authors: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. marcella.nebbioso@uniroma1.it
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Nebbioso
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Rusciano
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Pucci
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Zicari
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Grenga
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Pescocolido
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005576:Colforsin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012431:Rutin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013831:Thiamine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D005576:Colforsin; D012431:Rutin; D012256:Riboflavin; D013831:Thiamine