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Coconut Oil Against Dry Eye Symptoms: A Promising Study



Coconut Oil Against Dry Eye Symptoms: A Promising Study
Coconut Oil Against Dry Eye Symptoms: A Promising Study

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been the subject of various scientific studies due to its potential benefits for ocular health. Here are some of the reported benefits in the scientific literature regarding the use of coconut oil in ocular health:

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Ocular Health


  1. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties: Coconut oil contains lauric acid and other medium-chain fatty acids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These components may help reduce ocular inflammation and protect the eyes from oxidative damage, which is a factor in various ocular diseases.

  2. Hydration and Lubrication: Coconut oil has been used as a moisturizing and lubricating agent. In studies on dry eye syndrome, the application of coconut oil has been found to improve ocular surface lubrication, thereby alleviating dry eye symptoms and improving ocular comfort.

  3. Antimicrobial Activity: Coconut oil exhibits antimicrobial properties due to its high content of lauric acid. This may be beneficial in preventing ocular infections caused by bacteria and other pathogens, providing a protective barrier on the eye surface.

  4. Improvement of Tear Film Function: Some studies have shown that coconut oil can enhance tear film stability. This is crucial for ocular health, as a stable tear film protects the eye surface and improves vision.

  5. Reduction of Corneal Staining: Clinical studies have observed that coconut oil can reduce corneal staining, an indicator of ocular surface damage. This suggests that coconut oil may help heal and protect the cornea.

  6. Safe Use in Topical Treatments: Various studies have evaluated the safety of topical coconut oil use in the eyes and have found that it is generally safe and well-tolerated. This makes it a viable option for treating certain ocular conditions without significant side effects.

In summary, coconut oil has several potential benefits for ocular health, including its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties, and its ability to improve lubrication and tear film stability. However, it's important to note that while preliminary studies are promising, further clinical research is needed to confirm these benefits and determine the most effective doses and application methods.


Clinical Study at the National University of Malaysia


Study Overview

This is a clinical trial in which virgin coconut oil (VCO CL) was instilled into the dry eyes of 44 subjects using contact lenses as a vehicle. All subjects were healthy individuals without other ocular diseases, except for having some dry eye symptoms (included in the McMonnies questionnaires). Parameters were measured at baseline and after 15 minutes of insertion and compared. Control eyes were treated with contact lenses soaked in saline solution (CCL). The eye using VCO CL or CCL was randomly chosen by a masked operator. At the end of this study, the measured parameters will indicate whether VCO CL was able to retain tears in the eye and alleviate dry eye symptoms.


Detailed Description

A new study was conducted using contact lenses previously soaked in virgin coconut oil (VCO CL) to determine the safety of the agent in dry human eyes. The efficacy of VCO CL was evaluated by measuring tear film breakup time (TBUT), anterior eye assessment, corneal staining, pH, Schirmer's value, and residual volume of VCO in tears before instillation (0 minutes) and 15 minutes after insertion. Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Mann Whitney U tests were used to analyze any changes in all measurable variables. Differences in TBUT, corneal staining, and residual volume of VCO in tears in both eyes were analyzed. These study data will suggest whether VCO CL is safe and effective and if it can be recommended as an option for dry eyes in humans.


Study Groups

Eligibility Criteria

  • Minimum Age: 19 years

  • Maximum Age: 28 years

  • Gender: All

  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Dry eye symptoms (according to McMonnies questionnaires)

  • Written consent

Exclusion Criteria

  • No ocular diseases

  • No systemic diseases

  • Not regularly using contact lenses in the last 6 months

Assigned Interventions

  • Active Comparator: Contact Lens with Virgin Coconut Oil

  • Contact lens soaked in Virgin Coconut Oil

  • Organic product - Virgin Coconut Oil

  • Placebo Comparator: Control Contact Lens

  • Contact lens soaked in saline solution

  • Organic product - Saline solution

  • Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  • Tear Film Breakup Time (TBUT): Compare the value at baseline and 15 minutes after intervention.

  • Schirmer's Test: Compare the value at baseline and 15 minutes after intervention.

  • Corneal Staining: Compare the value at baseline and 15 minutes after intervention.

  • Oily Stained Area: Measure after intervention and compare with the control group.


Pilot Study in Rabbits

Study Details

  • Authors: Haliza Abdul Mutalib, Sharanjeet Kaur, Ahmad Rohi Ghazali, Ng Chin Hooi, Nor Hasanah Safie

  • PMID: 25802534

  • PMCID: PMC4352907

  • DOI: 10.1155/2015/135987


Study Summary

An open-label pilot study was conducted with virgin coconut oil (VCO) to determine the safety of the agent as rehydrating eye drops for rabbits' eyes. The efficacy of VCO was evaluated by measuring Non-Invasive Breakup Time (NIBUT), anterior eye assessment, corneal staining, pH, and Schirmer's value before instillation and at 30 min, 60 min, and two weeks after instillation. The Friedman test was used to analyze any changes in all measurable variables over time. The results showed that VCO is safe as rehydrating eye drops, as it did not show significant differences compared to commercially available eye drops and saline solution.


References

These references cover a variety of sources, including medical institutions, professional associations, and scientific studies, providing additional information on the topic of coconut oil and its potential impact on ocular health.


  1. Lemp MA, Baudouin C, Baum J, et al. The definition and classification of dry eye disease: report of the Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (2007). Ocul Surf. 2007;5(2):75–92. doi: 10.1016/s1542-0124(12)70081-2.

  2. Mutalib HA, Ghazali AR, Ali NS. Determination of proteins and microbes on worn contact lenses cleaned conventionally and using an automatic lens cleaner, Lens2. Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences. 2008;6(1):11–21.

  3. Mohd-Ali B, Fee LS, Abdul-Mutalib H, Mohidin N. Incidence of dry eye in a sample population in Kuala Lumpur. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health. 2011;3(11):839–845.

  4. Willen CM, McGwin G, Liu B, Owsley C, Rosenstiel C. Efficacy of cyclosporine A 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion in contact lens wearers with dry eyes. Eye Contact Lens. 2008;34(1):43–45. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0b013e3180676d44.

  5. Uchiyama E, di Pascuale MA, Butovich IA, McCulley JP. Impact on ocular surface evaporation of an artificial tear solution containing hydroxyprop

  6. Instituto Nacional del Ojo (NEI). (s.f.). "Ojo seco". Recuperado de https://www.nei.nih.gov/es/health/ojo-seco

  7. American Optometric Association (AOA). (2022). "Síndrome del ojo seco". Recuperado de https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye

  8. Asociación Americana de Optometría (AOA). (2022). "La salud de los ojos y el aceite de coco". Recuperado de https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye/the-health-of-your-eyes-and-coconut-oil

  9. MedlinePlus. (s.f.). "Aceite de coco". Recuperado de https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/druginfo/natural/1092.html

  10. Berman, M. R., Díaz, J. & Macías, A. (2011). "Efectos benéficos de la ingesta de aceite de coco sobre la salud humana: evidencia científica y perspectivas en México". Revista chilena de nutrición, 38(2), 243-249.

  11. Marina, A. M., Che Man, Y. B., & Nazimah, S. A. H. (2009). "Antioxidant capacity and phenolic acids of virgin coconut oil". International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 60(sup2), 114-123.

  12. Neela, N. R., & Amini, F. (2020). "Virgin Coconut Oil: Emerging Insights, Benefits, and Applications". Elsevier.

  13. Intahphuak, S., Khonsung, P., & Panthong, A. (2010). "Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil". Pharmaceutical biology, 48(2), 151-157.

  14. Eyres, L., Eyres, M. F., Chisholm, A., & Brown, R. C. (2016). "Coconut oil consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in humans". Nutrition reviews, 74(4), 267-280.

These references cover a variety of sources, including medical institutions, professional associations, and scientific studies, providing additional information on the topic of coconut oil and its potential impact on ocular health.


Translated by Beatrice Pieper

General Coordinator at IISV







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