Biophysical Study on Topical Natural Remedy in Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome

Abstract

Dry eye is a multifactorial condition that affects the surface of the eye and induces an inflammatory response that affects the cornea. Dryness, redness, foreign body sensation, burning and itching of the eyes are typical symptoms of dry eye .Recent studies have shown beneficial effects of dietary supplementation and/or topical application of omega-3 and omega-6, which found in olive oil and flax seed oil, for dry eye condition treatment. In this study, we use Rex Rabbits to investigate the effects of induced dry eye condition and the topical application of olive oil and flax seed oil as treatment modalities on the tear film and cornea structure which was monitored after 4 and 8 days post-application. The tear film analysis was accomplished by the application of Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). The cornea analysis was accomplished by the applications of FTIR, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Histology analysis. The FTIR results suggested that there are changes in tear film and cornea structure (fatty acid and protein components), these changes where clearly appeared in the NHOH, C-H, Amide I and Fingerprint regions. In additions, the topical uses of olive oil and flax seed oil for 8 days have reversed theses effects on the cornea and tear film constituents. The DSC results also confirmed that dry eye causes changing in the thermal decomposition behavior of the cornea and the olive oil and flax seed oil have beneficiary effect in reversing the signs and the underlying changes seen in cornea after induction eye dryness. In this regard, the histology analysis results show that dry eye causes an increase in the corneal epithelium. Also, it is noted that the olive oil and flax seed oil caused decreasing in the corneal epithelium thickness which gives us a sense of reversing effects of dry eye.