This diet may improve OSD outcomes in addition to medication

A retrospective study found that an anti-inflammatory diet may improve outcomes for patients with ocular surface disease (OSD) as an adjunct to anti-inflammatory medication. The study was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.

A chart review was conducted between January 2019 and March 2023 on 25 patients (mean age, 52.36 years; 19 female) from the New England Eye Center. A keyword search identified patients using the following words: diet, gluten, sugar, and dairy.

Patients completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index and Ocular Pain Assessment Survey surveys and were given recommendations for an anti-inflammatory diet.

During the study period, researchers observed an overall decrease in quality-of-life changes (P=.0206) and pain and sore eyes (P=.0028) in those participating in the diet.

Eye pain symptom relief reportedly increased from the prior visit (P=.0013) in this cohort. There was a significant change in pain symptom relief since the previous visit in those with versus without ocular pain (1.944 vs 1.875; P=.044). Patients with pain reported decreased vision quality compared with those without pain (P=.0304).

Patients with pain also reported a 16.3% improvement in mood compared with those without pain (P=.0331).

Reference

Thirmiya A, Hunt S, Cox S, Hamrah P. The effect of an anti-inflammatory diet on patient outcomes in ocular surface disease patients. Abstract 3699-B0362. Presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2024 Annual Meeting, May 5-9, Seattle, Washington.