NEW YORK, Jul 08 (Reuters Health) -- A calcium-containing ointment that is applied to the lower eyelid seems to be helpful in treating dry eye conditions, a new study suggests.
Eighteen subjects were randomly assigned to use either a calcium-containing petroleum-based ointment or a placebo petroleum ointment that did not contain calcium, according to Dr. Kazuo Tsubota of Tokyo Dental Hospital in Tokyo, Japan and colleagues.
Three months later, both groups of subjects said they had an improvement in their dry eye symptoms, suggesting that the petroleum itself was helping to keep tears from evaporating, according to a report in the July issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
However, those with the calcium-containing ointment had an added advantage on some eye tests, including blink patterns, according to the report. Calcium ions play a key role in many cell functions and the loss of such ions may contribute to dry eyes.
"In summary, we have shown the beneficial effect of the application of calcium ointment via lower lid for the treatment of dry eye patients," the authors conclude. "This mode of therapy is well tolerated by the patients, and provides a totally new therapeutic approach to providing steady levels of medication to the ocular surface."
SOURCE: British Journal of Ophthalmology 1999;83:767-770.
