Effects of Oral Vitamin B1 and Mecobalamin on Dry Eye Disease

Xiaotong Ren; Yilin Chou; Xiaodan Jiang; Ran Hao; Yuexin Wang; Yanyan Chen; Xuemin Li

doi:10.1155/2020/9539674

Effects of Oral Vitamin B1 and Mecobalamin on Dry Eye Disease

J Ophthalmol. 2020 Sep 9:2020:9539674. doi: 10.1155/2020/9539674. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Xiaotong Ren¹, Yilin Chou¹, Xiaodan Jiang¹, Ran Hao¹, Yuexin Wang¹, Yanyan Chen², Xuemin Li¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
² Department of Ophthalmology, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China.

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.