Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 17, 2026 2 hours, 3 minutes ago
Medical News: A new Italian study has revealed that adding Aloe vera to routine hyaluronic acid lubricants may provide much needed relief for thousands of glaucoma patients struggling with agonizing eye surface damage brought on by long term pressure lowering drops. Glaucoma therapy related ocular surface disease or GTOSD is a common but often overlooked side effect of life long treatment. Those affected experience burning discomfort gritty sensations redness and even blurring which can make them dread their daily medicines. With many patients quietly abandoning treatment because of these symptoms researchers set out to test whether a natural ingredient long linked to wound healing might finally ease their suffering.
Aloe Vera enriched hyaluronic acid drops eased pain and stabilized tears in glaucoma patients
Where the research was conducted
The investigation covered in this
Medical News report was carried out by ophthalmology specialists at the G d Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara with support from its Neuroscience Imaging and Clinical Science Department and the University Hospital Eye Clinic all in Italy. Experts from Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna the University of Pisa and the University of Sassari also contributed their clinical oversight and patient data.
Study design and how it worked
The observational analysis drew from a structured registry known as OSGLA which tracks real world glaucoma patients with surface complications. A total of 39 adults living with medically controlled glaucoma but showing clear signs of GTOSD were enrolled and followed for one month. Patients used either preservative free 0.3 percent hyaluronate tears or the same formula enriched with natural Aloe vera gel instilled three times daily. Before and after treatment specialists evaluated tear, film break up time, redness, surface staining and Schirmer moisture production. Participants also completed symptom surveys including OSDI and SANDE and a quality-of-life questionnaire. A tear test detecting the inflammatory enzyme MMP9 was included to explore biochemical effects.
What the researchers discovered
Although both treatments helped many patients feel better and see improvements in surface testing, those receiving the Aloe enhanced formula tended to show noticeably broader gains. Tear film stability increased by roughly 30 percent on average while staining scores fell by a third indicating visibly less damage to corneal surfaces. Redness declined modestly but consistently and most importantly patients themselves reported a sharp drop in dryness irritation and discomfort with OSDI and SANDE scores plunging by more than one third.
Schirmer testing even suggested slightly higher natural tear production, something not observed in the plain hyaluronate users. The inflammatory MMP9 test trended downward among Aloe users pointing to less biochemical stress on the surface although the brief study duration meant the change did not reach full statistical strength. Crucially not one patient reported a safety issue or worsening of symptoms in either group.
Why Aloe vera might help
Scientists be
lieve Aloe vera works by calming inflammatory messengers and blocking enzymes that weaken eye tissues. Laboratory work has shown Aloe reduces MMP9 activity, limits cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor and supports tissue repair. When partnered with hyaluronic acid which clings to the surface and locks in hydration, the combined formula appears to give irritated eyes the breathing space needed to settle and recover from daily glaucoma therapy.
Conclusion
While longer controlled trials are urgently needed, these findings suggest that hyaluronate lubricants enriched with Aloe vera could become an inexpensive and practical way to keep glaucoma patients comfortable and more willing to stay on sight saving drops. By easing pain dryness and hidden inflammation, these agents may eventually help protect not only the surface of the eye but also long-term vision outcomes. If confirmed by larger studies, this simple additive approach could mark an important turning point in managing glaucoma related dry eye and may help safeguard treatment adherence one of the biggest challenges in real world care.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal Biomedicines.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/14/1/186
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/glaucoma-news
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