Role of Lutein Supplements in the Management of Dry Eye Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Background: Dry Eye Disease (DED) significantly impacts global populations, causing discomfort and vision problems. This review explores the effects of lutein supplementation on DED symptoms and signs.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, examining clinical trials from databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 584 subjects were included. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to heterogeneity in study designs, dosages, and outcome measures.

Results: Lutein dosages ranged from 3 mg/day to 20 mg/day, with treatment durations from 4 to 12 weeks. Improvements were observed in subjective symptoms, with significant reductions in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores in some studies. Objective measures also showed positive results: tear break-up time (TBUT) increased significantly in some trials. However, other studies reported no significant differences between treatment and control groups, reflecting heterogeneity in outcomes. Schirmer's test and corneal-conjunctival staining results varied, with some showing significant improvements and others not.

Conclusions: Lutein supplementation may benefit DED patients by improving symptoms and tear film stability. However, due to study heterogeneity, larger, well-designed RCTs are needed to establish standardized dosing and confirm these findings.