ORIGINAL ARTICLES   Free

Minerva Oftalmologica 2016 March;58(1):1-5

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The role of a novel oral curcumin delivery form (Meriva®) dietary supplementation in meibomian gland dysfunction

Fabio MAZZOLANI ¹, Stefano TOGNI ², Luca GIACOMELLI ³, Federico FRANCESCHI ²

¹ Private Ophthalmology Practitioner, Milan, Italy; ² Indena S.p.A., Milan, Italy; ³ Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, School of Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of meibomian gland (MGD) is among the most frequent causes of ocular discomfort. Inflammation plays a major role in MGD, and evidence of the antioxidant-inflammatory properties of oral curcumin suggests its use as a treatment for MGD. We analyzed the effectiveness of a novel oral curcumin delivery form (Meriva®) in improving tear stability and in reducing inflammatory symptoms and signs due to MGD.
METHODS: We enrolled 12 patients, over a 3-month period, who presented with symptomatic MGD and tear instability (defined as tear breakup time [TBUT] <10 seconds). We performed the following tests: TBUT, Quality of life (QOL) Test, interpalpebral corneal dye staining and evaluation of lid margin inflammation. All patients received the oral curcumin delivery form at 1 g/day.
RESULTS: After three months, TBUT, QOL Test, interpalpebral corneal dye staining and lid margin inflammation improved from baseline values.
CONCLUSIONS: Meriva®, a novel curcumin delivery form, may be beneficial in the treatment of MGD, mainly by improving tear stability and decreasing secondary superficial ocular inflammation.