Dry eye disease, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or simply dry eye, is a common eye condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Tears are essential to maintain the health of the eye's surface and provide clear vision. They contain a mixture of water, oils, and mucus that lubricates and protects the eyes from infection.
When there is not enough moisture in the eyes, people with dry eye disease may experience a range of symptoms such as stinging, burning, redness, itching, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. They may also feel like something is in their eye or have trouble wearing contact lenses.
Mild cases can often be managed with over-the-counter artificial tears, or prescription eye drops that increase tear production or reduce inflammation. A study has investigated using anthocyanin oligomers isolated from grape skin extract to treat dry eye disease. Anthocyanin oligomers are a natural compound in grapes, berries, and other fruits. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The study involved 108 patients with dry eye disease who were randomly divided into a placebo group and a treatment group. The placebo group received maltodextrin, while the treatment group received anthocyanin oligomers. The clinical efficacy, clinical indices, and occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.