Korean red ginseng shows promise for ocular pain, contrast sensitivity in glaucoma

Korean red ginseng (KRG) appears to be effective for contrast sensitivity and ocular pain among patients with glaucoma, a new study has found.

Researchers conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study including 38 glaucoma patients. One group was first given red ginseng followed by a placebo; in the other, the sequence was reversed. Outcomes included contrast sensitivity and vision-related quality of life, which was measured using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire.

KRG yielded significant 1-month improvements in tear break-up time (TBUT; p<0.001), as well as in daytime (p=0.004) and night-time (p=0.016) contrast sensitivity. Moreover, the resulting changes in TBUT (p<0.001) and daytime contrast sensitivity (p=0.033) were significantly better when compared to controls; no such impact was reported for night-time contrast sensitivity.

In terms of vision-related quality of life, KRG induced significant improvements in general vision (p=0.048) and ocular pain (p<0.001) over 1 month. In particular, the reduction in ocular pain was significantly greater in the KRG vs placebo group (p=0.002).

Patients on placebo saw significantly worse distance activity after 1 month (p=0.022). There were no statistical changes associated with placebo in any of the other vision-related quality of life domains.

“KRG administration improved contrast sensitivity and patient-reported ocular pain, as well as TBUT. The anti-inflammatory effect of KRG may have improved tear film stability and patient-reported ocular pain,” the researchers said. “Our results suggest that KRG could be a useful adjunct treatment for improving visual function and reducing ocular discomfort in patients with glaucoma.”