Perennially promoted as a treatment for whatever from allergic reactions to the common cold, honey is now being inspected for its possible benefits in managing dry eye symptoms.
Researchers About Benefits of Manuka Honey for Dry Eyes
Scientists at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia, strategy to put antibacterial medical honey (Manuka Honey) to the test in upcoming medical trials that compare standard lube eye drops and other clinic-based treatments to honey-based treatments.
The trials will use an eye drop that incorporates a mix of Manuka honey – reported as helping reduce inflammatory markers on the ocular surface– as an alternative for standard eye drops, lotions, gels and steroids.
The research points out that standard treatments typically can have side effects, such as lessened efficiency with time and increased risk of eye infection, to which the honey-based drops can provide an option.
Inning accordance with a QUT press release, the first research study will test patients unable to continually use contact lenses due to dry eye symptoms. The 2nd, larger trial will track patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.
How Does Manuka Honey Relief Dry Eyes
While present therapies aim to restore normal tear total up to lessen discomfort and maintain good eye health, there remains no treatment for dry eye. Therefore, these clinical trials examining the effectiveness of medical honey show interesting, states Jerry R. Paugh. O.D., Ph.D., associate dean for research at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University.
“Medical honey has actually demonstrated effectiveness in injury management and in the decrease of ocular plants in dry eye patients,” Dr. Paugh writes, citing a previous research study.
“The authors point out unpublished data recommending that antibacterial honey used 3 times daily in dry eye topics for 3 months caused improvement in a number of ocular surface area specifications consisting of staining, goblet cell density and conjunctival swelling. Nevertheless, there appears to be little peer-reviewed evidence to support these findings.”
Dr. Paugh specifies that the evidence of effectiveness for the honey-based dry eye treatment will lie in the study design, particularly accepted meanings of MGD to classify those topics, randomization, masking and use of a placebo artificial tear with viscosity similar to that of the honey formula.
Outside of the clinical tests, the honey-based treatment also may not fit the meaning for a monograph or nondrug therapy for dry eye in the United States or Europe, he states.
“Regardless, the results of this trial will be intriguing and possibly handy in the typically aggravating efforts of eye care companies to manage dry eye,” Dr. Paugh states.
What Others Say About Manuka Honey Effect for Dry Eye Syndrome
Mark’s story:
Well what can I say, Manuka Honey is giving me relief that absolutely nothing has even come close to prior to!
I have ocular rosacea together with blepharitis/MGD. Pretty seriously as well.
I have actually attempted restasis, topicals to my lids consisting of rosex gel, protopic, numerous diffierent antibiotics even an item which is quickly to be used for rosacea, which carefully restricts the vessels without any rebound affect.
All the drops and gels under the sun, wetness chambers both day and night consisting of tranquileyes and onyx.
I have even tried oral anti milarial drugs and oral anti inflammatories.
All the above offer me varying digress of relief. But absolutely nothing gave me more than state 50% relief?
Over the past week I have actually been using Manuka Honey and this things has been incredible. Now the genuine test will come when I return to work as I deal with double screens in an extremely dry environment all day long. But I sense my symptoms will remain much enhanced.
Whilst the Manuka Honey is applied to my eyelids, my eyes feel nearly 100% normal? I actually cannot think it as my eyes are VERY bad in terms of rate of evaportation and tear quality. The inflammation is AWFUL.
I have seen the whites of my eyes return to normal which is simply remarkable.
I have been using this to my eyelids about twice a day and whilst I have been at home have left it on most of the day (and night).
I am sure with the terrific relief it offers me while used that the benefical affects will advance into my normal day. I will report back in a week or two.