Effects of Oral Vitamin B1 and Mecobalamin on Dry Eye Disease

Abstract

Purpose. To assess the effects of oral vitamin B1 and mecobalamin on dry eye disease (DED) and patient satisfaction with treatment. Methods. In this randomized controlled study, DED patients were divided into 4 groups based on treatment: group 1, only artificial tears; group 2, corticosteroid eye drops and artificial tears; group 3, oral vitamin B1, mecobalamin, and artificial tears; and group 4, oral vitamin B1, mecobalamin, corticosteroid eye drops, and artificial tears. DED symptoms, signs, and patient satisfaction with treatment were assessed at baseline and at 1 and 2 months after treatment. Results. In total, 152 eyes from 76 patients (age, 55.25 ± 18.16 years) were included. In group 3, there were significant differences in dryness, foreign body sensation, burning, and tear film breakup time first (TBUTF) between 1 and 2 months after treatment and in satisfaction scores before and after treatment (P<0.05). In group 3, there were also significant differences in dryness, foreign body sensation, photophobia, and TBUTA and between baseline and 2 months after treatment (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in foreign body sensation between 1 and 2 months after treatment in groups 3 and 4 (P<0.05). Furthermore, we also find obvious improvement in corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD) between baseline and 1 and 2 months after treatment in groups 3 and 4 (P<0.05). Conclusions. Oral vitamin B1 and mecobalamin can relieve some dry eye symptoms such as dryness, pain, and photophobia and improve DED signs and patient satisfaction. Thus, vitamin B1 and mecobalamin are potential treatment options for patients with DED.

Effects of dietary imbalances of micro- and macronutrients on the ocular microbiome and its implications in dry eye disease

“…The three objective outcome parameters of DED the study examined all showed significantly greater improvement in the vitamin D supplemented group. This supports the large number of observational studies which have suggested a link between vitamin D deficiency and DED [173]. Oral vitamin B12 and thiamine were administered as a combined supplement in an RCT by Ren et al [174] in a total patient cohort of 152 eyes, finding significant improvements in both subjective and objective outcome measures.…”

Effect of multivitamin drug on intractable dry eye symptoms

“…It has been reported that the combination of vitamin C and vitamin E attenuates the neuropathic pain behavior by synergistic antinociceptive effects, although vitamin C or vitamin E given alone failed to reduce the nociceptive behavior ( 39 ). Thiamine, which reduces peripheral neuropathic pain ( 41 ), attenuates symptoms of dry eye ( 15 ). Riboflavin supplementation reduces hyperalgesia and inflammation ( 42 ) and inhibits histamine-dependent itch by modulating transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 ( 43 ).…”

“…Tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and β-carotene are antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation of the ocular surface ( 14 ). Thiamine nitrate ( 15 ) and pyridoxine ( 14 ) have been reported to ameliorate dry eye. Oral multivitamin drug (MVG; Greenwol soft cap, Kyungnam Pharm.)…”

Association Between Vitamin Deficiencies and Ophthalmological Conditions

“…53 Finally, cobalamin has been linked to dry eye disease and has been used as a treatment for pain associated with dry eye disease. 65,66 A study by Ozen et al, found that treating vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with dry eye disease in addition to topical treatment improved the neuropathic pain. 66 Another case report in 2015 of a 28-year-old patient with bilateral burning pain and foreign body sensation in both eyes was found to have cobalamin deficiency.…”