What was the focus of the study?
Forty people aged 16 or older participated in the Amsterdam UMC study. They had an ocular prosthesis and were experiencing symptoms of discharge or irritation for which there was no clear medical cause. All participants tried three different treatments as well as a period without treatment.
Each treatment lasted two weeks. This was followed by a two-week break. The participants used the following in sequence:
- Artificial tears (preservative-free),
- Vitamin A ointment,
- Mild anti-inflammatory eye drops,
- And a period without medication.
During the study, the participants filled out questionnaires. They indicated how often and how severely they experienced symptoms.
What was the result?
The vitamin Aointment was generally the most effective. People experienced symptoms less frequently and with less severity. Artificial tears were particularly helpful in relieving the sensation of irritation. The anti-inflammatory eye drops provided little improvement for most people.
However, not everyone reacted the same way. Some people actually experienced more symptoms from the vitamin A ointment. And others, for whom this ointment didn’t work, did benefit from the drops or artificial tears. In total, 73% of the participants noticed an improvement with at least one of the three treatments. So there’s a good chance that one of these treatments could help you, too.
What does this mean for you?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Symptoms and responses to treatment vary from person to person. That’s why it’s important to work with your doctor to determine what will work best for you. Sometimes it’s just a matter of trial and error.
More research is needed
This study shows that there are effective treatment options. But it also shows that it is important to look beyond the current options. In the future, researchers hope to test other treatments as well, so that there will be a suitable solution for everyone.
Please note!
Unfortunately, the vitamin A ointment isn’t covered by insurance. So be sure to discuss your options with your healthcare provider.
