Efficacy and safety of manuka honey for dry eye.

2022-08-11
Clinical & experimental optometry 106(5)
- Jindong Hu
- Lingwen Kong
- Sixing Zhu
- Mohan Ju
- Qianfu Zhang

PubMed: 35950413
DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2022.2106779

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Sample size: n = 288
Population: 288 adult participants with dry eye from five eligible randomised controlled trials
Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials identified through online searches of seven databases from inception until 5 September 2021

Dry eye has become an increasingly prevalent public health issue for which there is currently no cure. Manuka honey possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can be used to treat dry eye. The present study aimed to systematically review evidence supporting the treatment of dry eye with manuka honey and quantify this evidence via meta-analysis. Randomised clinical trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria from database inception until 5 September 2021, were identified through online searches of seven databases, including but not limited to Embase, Medline, and Central. Changes between the point of longest follow-up and baseline subjective symptoms, tear film quality, ocular surface characteristics, adverse events, and compliance were selected for meta-analysis. A total of 288 adult participants with dry eye from five eligible randomised controlled trials were analysed. Compared with the control groups, treatment with manuka honey demonstrated a significant improvement in Ocular Surface Disease Index, Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness, tear evaporation rate, negative conversion rate of matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels, ocular surface staining, and daily use frequency of lubricant. No serious adverse events were reported, except for temporary stinging and redness, which were generally tolerated. This review found that manuka honey demonstrated promising results for the treatment of dry eye. However, limitations of the included studies and analytical methodology affect the reliability of this conclusion. Therefore, further high-quality randomised clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of the use of manuka honey in the treatment of dry eye.

Research Insights

Manuka Honey→Improved Dry Eye Symptoms
treatment with manuka honey demonstrated a significant improvement in ... Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Manuka Honey→Improved Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Negative Conversion Rate
negative conversion rate of matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Manuka Honey→Reduced Lubricant Use Frequency
daily use frequency of lubricant
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Manuka Honey→Reduced Ocular Surface Staining
ocular surface staining
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Manuka Honey→Reduced Tear Evaporation Rate
treatment with manuka honey demonstrated a significant improvement in ... tear evaporation rate
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate

Adverse Events Reported

Manuka Honey→Overall tolerability
No serious adverse events were reported, except for temporary stinging and redness, which were generally tolerated.
Finding
Reported
Manuka Honey→redness
No serious adverse events were reported, except for temporary stinging and redness, which were generally tolerated.
Finding
Reported
Manuka Honey→stinging
No serious adverse events were reported, except for temporary stinging and redness, which were generally tolerated.
Finding
Reported