Manuka Honey Eye Gel/Drops: They seem to help many patients

Many patients have been telling me how Manuka honey has been helping their symptoms of dry eyes. As of today there are 5 published papers on the use of Manuka honey for eye issues (see below). 

The best study below was a single-blinded (reviewer was masked), randomized controlled trial comparing conventional treatment group with interventional group using Optimel 16% manuka honey topical eye-drops. 59 patients were recruited to the study and randomized into two groups: one given regular lubricants and the other given Optimel 16% manuka honey eye-drops. 

Patients in the Manuka honey arm showed significant improvements in key parameters below. 

The authors report no financial interest in the product below.

This appears to be a relatively safe option (as long as the tip/bottle does not get contaminated which is a risk with all drops/bottles). 

Patients report that Manuka burns when it goes in but then usually has a soothing effect after that seems to last a couple of hours. 

The only therapeutic drops [ie, not just preservative free artificial tears] that do NOT usually if ever burn are: 

-Autolgous Serum drops, 

-Platelet Rich Plasma Drops, 

-Cord Blood Serum Drops, 

-Amniotic Membrane drops, and 

-Autologous Stem Cell drops). 

There have been no studies to date comparing the above (customized cellular therapeutic drops) with Manuka Honey.

. 2021 Jan 8;bjophthalmol-2020-317506.

 doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-317506. Online ahead of print.

Randomised assessor - masked trial evaluating topical manuka honey (Optimel) in treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction

Anita Lai-Wah Li 1, Sophia Ling Li 1, Ka Wai Kam 1, Alvin Lerrmann Young 2

Affiliations 

• PMID: 33419788
 
• DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-317506

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of manuka honey eye-drops in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.

Methods: This is an assessor-masked (single-blind), randomised controlled trial comparing conventional treatment group with interventional group using Optimel 16% manuka honey topical eye-drops. 59 patients were recruited to the study and randomised into two groups: one given regular lubricants and the other given Optimel 16% manuka honey eye-drops. The Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) score was measured at baseline and on follow-up. 4 patients were lost to follow-up. Multiple ocular surface parameters were graded from slit lamp examination by a masked assessor. Results were compared from baseline to follow-up date 3 weeks later.

Results: Patients in the conventional treatment group demonstrated minimal difference in SPEED score at 3-week follow-up (mean difference 1.087, p=0.183), which was not statistically significant. However, measurements of tear film break-up time, corneal surface stain (Oxford), lid margin, conjunctival redness, as well as meibum quality and expressibility showed significant improvements at 3 weeks (p<0.01). Patients in the manuka honey eye-drops group showed significant difference after 3 weeks in SPEED score (mean difference 2.53, p=0.006), as well as in lid margin redness, conjunctival redness, corneal surface stain (Oxford), and meibum quality and expressibility (p=0.000).

Conclusions: Optimel 16% manuka honey eye-drops showed significant improvement in symptoms and objective signs in meibomian gland dysfunction and are an effective alternative treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction.

5 results

 

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1

 

 

Treatment of contact lens related dry eye with antibacterial honey.

Wong D, Albietz JM, Tran H, Du Toit C, Li AH, Yun T, Han J, Schmid KL.Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2017 Dec;40(6):389-393. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2017.10.001. Epub 2017 Oct 9.PMID: 29032921 Clinical Trial.

AIM: Contact lens induced dry eye affects approximately 50% of contact lens wearers. The aim was to assess the effects of Manuka (Leptospermum sp.) honey eye drops (Optimel, Melcare, Australia) on dry eye in contact lens wearers. . …

2

 

 

Randomised controlled trial of topical antibacterial Manuka (Leptospermum species) honey for evaporative dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction.

Albietz JM, Schmid KL.Clin Exp Optom. 2017 Nov;100(6):603-615. doi: 10.1111/cxo.12524. Epub 2017 Jun 6.PMID: 28585260 Free article. Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of standardised Manuka (Leptospermum species) antibacterial honey as adjunctive twice daily treatment to conventional therapy (warm compresses, lid massage and preservative-free lubricant), in participants with evapor …

3

 

 

Comparing the in vitro effects of MGO() Manuka honey and tea tree oil on ocular Demodex viability.

Frame K, Cheung IMY, Wang MTM, Turnbull PR, Watters GA, Craig JP.Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2018 Dec;41(6):527-530. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2018.06.006. Epub 2018 Jul 7.PMID: 30253937

PURPOSE: To compare the in vitro antiparasitic effects of MGO() Manuka honey and tea tree oil against ocular Demodex. METHODS: Fifty-two viable Demodex mites were acquired from the epilated eyelashes of 9 participants with blepharitis and symptomatic dry e …

4

 

 

Randomised assessor-masked trial evaluating topical manuka honey (Optimel) in treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.

Li AL, Li SL, Kam KW, Young AL.Br J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jan 8:bjophthalmol-2020-317506. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-317506. Online ahead of print.PMID: 33419788

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of manuka honey eye-drops in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. METHODS: This is an assessor-masked (single-blind), randomised controlled trial comparing conventional treatment group with interventional group using …

5

 

 

The multi-faceted approach to dry eye disease.

Ross E, Furniss E, Chandramohan N, Markoulli M.Clin Exp Optom. 2021 Feb 11:1-4. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2021.1877534. Online ahead of print.PMID: 33689611 No abstract available.