Study highlights potential benefits of topical insulin in diabetic dry eye disease

Topical insulin (TI) outperforms artificial tears (AT) and normal saline (NS) in reducing inflammatory biomarkers and improving clinical parameters in diabetic dry eye disease (DDED), according to a study.

The trial included 73 diabetic patients aged 18 to 50, with treatments administered 4 times daily over 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes, including Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal Oxford score, and Schirmer’s test results, were assessed by masked investigators.

Significant inflammatory biomarkers were reduced across all groups, with TI showing the most pronounced effect (P < 0.001). Clinical improvements were also greatest in the TI group, with larger mean differences in OSDI (-20.90 vs -11.38 for AT and -6.78 for NS), TBUT (+5.55 seconds vs +3.00 for AT and +1.00 for NS), and other parameters.

Reference
Atikah A, Suzana M, Wan Haslina WAH, et al. Randomised controlled trial on effects of topical insulin compared to artificial tears and normal saline on tear inflammatory mediator levels and clinical parameters in diabetics with dry eye disease. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2024;102346. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2024.102346. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39676005.