Evaluation of ophthacare (R) eye drops - A herbal formulation in the management of various ophthalmic disorders

An open prospective multicentre clinical trial was conducted in patients su ffering from various ophthalmic disorders namely, conjunctivitis, conjuncti val xerosis (dry eye), acute dacryocystitis, degenerative conditions (ptery gium or pinguecula) and postoperative cataract patients with a herbal eye d rop preparation (Ophthaeare(R)) containing basic principles of different he rbs which have been conventionally used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine since time immemorial. These include Carum copticum, Terminalia belirica, Emblica officinalis, Curcuma longa, Ocimum sanctum, Cinnamomum camphora, Ro sa damascena and meldespumapum. These herbs reportedly possess antiinfectiv e and antiinflammatory properties. The present study was undertaken to eluc idate the role of this herbal product in a variety of eye ailments. Side ef fects, if any, were noted during the study. An improvement was observed wit h the treatment of the herbal eye drop treatment in most cases. There were no side effects observed during the course of the study and the eye drop was well tolerated by the patients. The herbal eye drop Ophthacare (R) has a useful role in a variety of infective, inflammatory and degenerat ive ophthalmic disorders. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.