Das Nahrungsergänzungsmittel VITAMAC^® bei Patienten mit trockenem Auge Syndrom - Eine Anwendungsbeobachtung

Summary: BACKGROUND: Dry Eye Syndrome is a highly prevalent ocular condition inducing an inflammatory response on the ocular surface. Given that food supplements including omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation in several tissues, the current observational case series focuses on the question whether patients' satisfaction is improved after treatment with a combination of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 patients with Dry Eye Syndrome were included in this observational case series. Patients ingested the food supplement VITAMAC^® for 3 months according to the product insert. Patients' satisfaction was assessed with the Standard Ocular Surface Diseases Index (OSDI) Questioner before and after a three month administration. Following standard care visual acuity and Schirmer test were measured at baseline and at the end of the observation period. RESULTS: 2 patients discontinued the intake of VITAMAC^® and were therefore not included in the analysis. For the remaining 18 patients, the OSDI was improved after administration of VITAMAC^® from 19.7 (range 8-33) at baseline to 14.1 (range 1-29) at the end of the observation period (p < 0.01). However, no significant change was observed in the Schirmers test or in terms of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of VITAMAC^® day and night capsules improved OSDI, but did not affect Schirmer test or visual acuity. Accordingly, one may formulate the hypothesis that VITAMAC^® improves the subjective symptoms of DES, which needs to be tested in an adequately designed clinical trial.