A Placebo Controlled Double Masked Clinical Assessment Study of Essential Fatty Acid Supplement and Its Effect on Patients With Apparent Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye Syndrome
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 42
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Lipid biochemistry changes: pre and post treatment
研究概览
简要总结
To determine the effect of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) on Meibomian Gland lipids and aqueous tear production in patients with "dry eyes".
详细描述
The effects of essential fatty acids on Meibomian Gland lipid composition and aqueous tear production may be greater than previously thought. Dry Eye syndromes afflict millions of people worldwide, more than 10 million in the United States alone. Typically, symptoms that are associated with dry eye disease include ocular burning, foreign body sensation, photophobia and other symptoms that result in overall chronic discomfort in patients. Unfortunately, the effects of Essential Fatty Acids on aqueous tears or Meibomian lipids (AT) have not been established to date. The purpose of this study is to better understand the role essential fatty acids play in the maintenance of meibomian gland lipids and overall production or retention of aqueous tears.
Patients diagnosed with dry eye syndrome will be selected to participate in the study. Once qualified to take part in the trial, participants randomized to the active comparator arm will receive four oral doses of soft-gel capsules to be taken daily (QD). Omega-3 Fatty Acid daily content:
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) Dose: 450mg DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) Dose: 300mg Flaxseed Oil (organic) Dose: 1000mg
Patients on placebo will receive nutritional supplement capsules containing wheat germ oil but no EFA's. During the trial, patient will be encouraged not to change their diet, use of topical ophthalmics and systemic therapies other than the use of study treatment. Patient's topical therapy will be standardized after identification exam so that all patients will use TheraTears™ four times daily. Patients will be directed to take the masked capsules in the following manner: 4 soft-gels in the morning.
Masked medication, TheraTears™ and randomization tables will be provided by sponsor.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
The active ingredient and placebo softgels appear identical and are supplied in identical containers for masking purposes.
Study personnel performing study visit procedures are masked to group assignment.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 90 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Patient over 18 years of age, patient willing and able to comply with the protocol, no planned changes in diet, topical or systemic drugs during course of study. Ocular symptoms consistent with dry eye of insidious onset and greater than three months duration. Ocular surface vital staining consistent with aqueous deficient dry eyes with less than +1 conjunctival injection and no more than minimal lid inflammation -
排除标准
- •Any patient that uses topical eye drops other than artificial tears. Any patient with punctual occlusion or punctual plugs. Patients with active ocular infection or inflammatory disease, history of herpetic keratitis, history of retinal detachment, concurrent contact lens use during the trial period, ocular surgery within the past six months, patients with glaucoma, anterior membrane dystrophy, active trichiasis or any eyelid globe malposition abnormality, e.g., entropion, ectropion, etc. Patients with Epiphora (excessive tearing). Moreover, patients taking medications known to effect aqueous tear production or meibomian secretions. Patient must not have participated in (or be currently participating in) any investigational therapeutic drug or device trial within the previous 30 days prior to their start date for this trial. In addition, any patient suffering from organic brain syndromes or major psychiatric disorder that would interfere with compliance or subjective reporting will be discouraged from participating in this trial.
研究组 & 干预措施
EPA/DHA/flaxseed
Study patients in the active comparator arm will take four soft-gel capsules containing omega-3 fatty acids (a nutritional supplement) orally daily for 3 months. Each daily dose contains eicosapentaenoic acid (450 mg), docosahexaenoic acid (300 mg) and flaxseed oil (1000 mg).
干预措施: Omega-3 fatty acid supplement (Dietary Supplement)
Wheat germ oil
Study patients in the placebo arm will take four doses of soft-gel capsules containing wheat germ oil orally daily for 3 months.
干预措施: Placebo (Dietary Supplement)
结局指标
主要结局
Lipid biochemistry changes: pre and post treatment
时间窗: 3 months
Meibomian gland secretions will be subjected to biochemical analysis.
次要结局
- Evaporometry changes: pre and post treatment(3 months)
- Fluorophotometry changes:pre and post treatment(3 months)
研究者
James McCulley
Professor & Chairman, David Bruton Jr. Chair in Ophthalmology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center