Effect of a Natural Eye Drop, Made of <i>Plantago Ovata </i>Mucilage on Improvement of Dry Eye Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate efficacy of a natural eye drop made of Plantago ovata mucilage versus placebo to improve dry eye symptoms. In a Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial, sixty dry eye patients with ocular symptom and total OSDI score≥12 were randomly assigned to receive either a natural ophthalmic drop, made of Plantago ovata mucilage or placebo 4 times a day for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated at first, weeks 4 and 6 of treatment. Evaluations of efficacy and safety were conducted based on Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, Noninvasive tear film break-up time (NI-BUT) with keratograph, Schirmer test without anesthesia, osmolarity test and by monitoring adverse events. After 6 weeks, the result showed significant improvement in total OSDI score within (p