Gamma Linolenic Acid in Dry Eye

ABSTRACT

In this prospective study to evaluate the role of gamma linolenic acid in the management of dry eye, 100 patients of dry eyes were studied by dividing randomly into two groups of 50 each. In the test group, all the 50 patients were put on medication which consisted of cap gamma linolenic acid - 120 mg once daily dose, artificial tears solution/ointments 4-6 times daily with a topical mild steroid (loteprednol etabonate 0.5%) thrice daily. In the control group all the 50 patients were put on artificial tear solution/ointments and topical mild steroid (loteprednol etabonate 0.5%) thrice daily. All the patients were subjected to slit lamp examination, schirmer test, and fluorescien stain for tear film break up time (TBUT). In the test group symptomatic relief was shown by all 50 (100%) patients after one week of treatment. There was not much improvement in the schirmer test and TBUT results at 1 week. At 1 month follow up the result showed improvement and at 6 months there was definite increase in the schirmer test & TBUT values. The results were not influenced by the age & gender of the patients. In the control group though there was definite symptomatic relief in all the patients, but there was no change in the major study parameters i.e. tear film meniscus height; schirmer test and TBUT. At six month of the study there was marginal improvement of the major parameters but there was a lot of difference between the test and control groups. Thus gamma linolenic acid has a definite role in the management of dry eye.