Alleviating Effects Against Dry Eye by Oral Intake of Cordyceps Cicadae Mycelia

Alleviating Effects Against Dry Eye by Oral Intake of Cordyceps Cicadae Mycelia

Cordyceps cicadae mycelia was tested for amelioration of dry eye symptoms through dietary supplementation. Its efficacy in relief of human dry eye status was assessed by randomized, double-blinded tests, including multiple assessments. The results were compared between the placebo group and the experimental group.

Former animal studies had shown that Cordyceps cicadae mycelia can effectively ameliorate UVB-induced dry eye symptoms. This study further investigated its efficacy in human dry eye status by randomized, double-blinded tests, including dry eye questionnaires, blood tests, salivary tests, tear volume test, intra-ocular pressure assessments, ocular surface photography, corneal fluorescein stain, tear film breakup time test, fundus photography, and cornea impression cytology. All tests were performed again after 3 months of dietary supplement of either samples or placebo. A total of 97 participants completed the trial. The data were analyzed by paired-t test and compared between the placebo and the experimental groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged from 20 to 60 with dry eye symptoms confirmed by ophthalmologists, and without chronic diseases.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those vulnerable to damages or loss of self-conscious, or behavior capacity, or with major illness or with critical diseases.