Symptomatic Relief of Dry Eye Assessed With the OSDI in Patients Using 5% Testosterone Cream

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: The present study examines symptomatic relief based on OSDI scores from dry eye patients treated with 5% testosterone cream. Previously in a masked placebo controlled study we showed that testosterone cream increased tear production in dry eye patients based on Schirmer values. The OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the severity of dry eye disease. Methods: Patients were enrolled based on a decreased TBUT ( less than 10 seconds) and accompanying symptoms. These patients were then administered the OSDI. Then these patients were instructed on how to apply the 5% testosterone cream to their eyelids twice a day for three weeks. After three weeks of cream use the OSDI and TBUT were repeated. Twenty patients were included in this study: 17 females and 3 males. Mean age of the patients was 45.8 yrs. with a range of 22 to 65 yrs. Results: The baseline TBUT was 4.22 seconds with an OSDI score of 39.7. This OSDI score corresponds to a dry eye of moderate severity. After 3 weeks of treatment with the testosterone cream, the TBUT increased to 6.02 seconds and the OSDI score declined to 20.33. The use of the testosterone cream twice daily reduced the severity of the treated dry eye patients from moderate to mild based on OSDI scores. None of the patients showed an increased OSDI score after treatment, and most of the patients had a dramatically reduced OSDI score. The observed change in OSDI score was statistically significant at the p=.001 level. The change in TBUT was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The dramatic reduction in OSDI score suggests treating dry eye patients with 5% testosterone cream twice a day reduces the patient's perception of dry eye symptoms.

Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • lacrimal gland