Potential Beneficial Effect of Honey Cocktail Supplement on Improving Dry Eye-Like Parameters Among Postmenopausal Women

Background/Purpose: Postmenopausal women are prone to develop dry eye due to hormonal imbalance. Antioxidant’s properties of honey maybe helpful to improve symptoms and signs of dry eye. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of honey cocktail on dry eye-like parameters among postmenopausal women. Methods: An interventional study was conducted from November 2015 to May 2017. The eligible postmenopausal women were enrolled in this study. Participants for intervention received 20-gram honey cocktail supplement for 3 months (intervention group). Control group were not given any supplement or placebo. All participants were assessed for Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score using OSDI questionnaire (dry eye symptoms) and evaluated for Schirmer test value and Tear Break-up Time (TBUT) (dry eye signs) at baseline and at 3 months of the study. Results: A total of 60 postmenopausal women were recruited (30 participants in intervention group and 30 participants in control group). At 3 months, intervention group showed significant reduction of mean OSDI score compared to control group (8.82 SD 8.33 vs 14.17 SD 10.37 scores respectively, p =0.032). There was no significant difference of mean Schirmer test value and TBUT between the two groups. Conclusion: Short duration of honey cocktail supplementation showed no significant beneficial effect on dry eye-like parameters among postmenopausal women. Longer duration of honey supplementation might provide beneficial effect on dry eye-like parameters as systemic honey supplementation has a slow effect on ocular surface.