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. 2020 May 23;12(5):1526.
doi: 10.3390/nu12051526.

Effect of Oral Choline Alfoscerate on Patients with Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Jin Ju Choi  1 , Jin Sun Hwang  1 , Young Joo Shin  1
Affiliations

Effect of Oral Choline Alfoscerate on Patients with Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Jin Ju Choi et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or dry eye is a disease characterized by ocular surface symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of oral choline alfoscerate (CA) administration as a treatment for KCS. The medical records of dry eye patients who were refractory to topical eyedrops and then took oral CA were reviewed. Results of tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein ocular surface staining score (FSS), and tear secretion by the Schirmer test (STT) were analyzed. The results of the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), visual analog pain score (VAS), reporting of the severity and frequency of symptoms, and the modified Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire were also analyzed. The records of 47 patients were analyzed for this study. The mean age was 62.8 ± 9.3 years, and the patients included 9 males and 38 females. TBUT, OSDI, and VAS significantly improved after CA administration compared to before (p < 0.05, paired t-test). After CA administration, symptom frequency and impact on life improved (p < 0.05, paired t-test). No significant change in photophobia or FSS was identified. In conclusion, oral CA administration was effective in improving tear stability and alleviating symptoms of KCS.

Keywords: choline alfoscerate; dry eye symptoms; keratoconjunctivitis sicca; tear break-up time.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes of objective signs of dry eye disease over time. (A) Tear break-up time (TBUT) increased over time. (B) Lid hyperemia grade decreased over time. * statistically significant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes of subjective symptoms of dry eye disease over time. (A,B) Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and visual analogue pain score (VAS) decreased over time. (C,D) Impact of dry eye symptoms on life and daily frequency of dry eye symptoms decreased over time. * statistically significant.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes of frequency of individual symptoms over time. (A,B) Frequencies of dryness and foreign body sensation decreased over time. (C–E) Frequencies of coldness, eye fatigue, and pain changed over time. * statistically significant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes of severity of individual symptoms over time. (A–C) Severity of dryness, foreign body sensation, and coldness decreased over time. (D) Severity of eye fatigue and pain changed over time. * statistically significant.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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