IT'S DELICIOUS on toast or stirred into hot water and lemon for a soothing drink: and now honey has been found to relieve the symptoms of dry eyes.
A new trial, published by Optometry Australia, compared anti-bacterial honey eye gel and drops with the standard treatment for dry eye and found the honey products significantly improved symptoms over and above conventional therapy.
The study of 114 people with evaporative dry eye due to moderate to advanced meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) was published in Optometry Australia's journal, Clinical and Experimental Optometry.
Patients in the trial were given a manuka honey eye gel or manuka eye drops, produced by Melcare.
Those who used the honey therapy reported their eyes felt better and not so "gritty". Most chose to continue using the honey treatments after the trial.
Study co-author, Associate Professor Katrina Schmid from Queensland University of Technology's School of Optometry and Vision Science, said while all treatments (including conventional lubricants) clinically and significantly improved dry eye, the honey therapies improved it the most and the gel was superior.
"It's a novel treatment for dry eye because it has both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and has a different mechanism from those of other products," Professor Schmid said.
"This trial has provided evidence of its benefits to patients with chronic, long-term and difficult to treat MGD."
Optometry Australia's Simon Hanna said dry eye is a major public health problem that can have a serious impact on quality of life.
"It's not a condition that should simply be put up with," he said.
The optometrist said the first step in any treatment is having a comprehensive eye examination.
Mr Hanna said dry eye may be exacerbated by many factors, including diabetes, sleep disorders and hormonal issues.
"Our reliance on digital devices, as well as time spent in the modern office, in front of computer screens and in air-conditioning are also contributing factors."
Melcare chief executive Anthony Moloney described the response from optometrists as "outstanding".
"The drops do sting and it doesn't work for everyone, but where it does work, it can be profound," he said, adding that good eyelid hygiene, clean eyes and eyelid margins should also be the initial therapy.
The Optimel manuka-based eye products are the first therapeutic honey products regulated as a medical device for professional eye care in Australia.
To find an optometrist: www.goodvisionforlife.com.au
