Effect of Ginger Tea Consumption on the Tear Film Parameters in Subjects with Healthy and Dry Eyes

: Background : To assess the tear film in normal and dry eye subjects after the consumption of hot ginger tea. Methods : Forty subjects (25 males and 15 females) aged 18–36 years (mean ± standard deviation = 23.5 – 5.2 years) were enrolled in the current study. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant prior to the start of the research. Temperature and humidity were controlled during the measurement. Phenol red thread (PRT) test was performed first, followed by tear ferning (TF) and noninvasive tear breakup time (NITBUT) tests. A 10 min gap was allowed between tests. Measurements were obtained 30 min before the consumption of ginger tea and repeated 60 minutes after the drink. Results : TF grades increased for a majority of subjects ( N = 34; 85%), remained unchanged for two subjects (5%)