A recent study published in the British Medical Journal has unveiled an unconventional approach to treating dry eye disease. Researchers have found that repeating nonsensical phrases for five minutes may be as effective as using artificial tears in alleviating symptoms of this common eye condition.
The study involved nearly 300 participants with dry eye disease, divided into two groups. One group was given sodium hyaluronic acid eye drops, while the other engaged in "laughter therapy." This therapy involved repeating phrases that mimic laughter, such as "hee hee hee, hah hah hah" and "cheese cheese cheese," 30 times in five minutes, four times daily for eight weeks.
Sun Yat-sen University in China and Queen's University Belfast researchers discovered that both methods significantly improved dry eye symptoms. The laughter therapy was deemed "non-inferior" to artificial tears, suggesting its potential as an alternative treatment.
Dry eye disease affects 5-50% of the global population and occurs when eyes cannot adequately lubricate themselves. It is more prevalent in individuals over 65 and can cause itching, soreness, and discomfort. The condition can be caused by decreased tear production or increased tear evaporation, with risk factors including age, female gender, certain medications, and autoimmune diseases.
Standard treatments for dry eye disease include lifestyle changes, such as limiting screen time and using humidifiers. When these methods prove insufficient, artificial tears are often prescribed. The global dry eye treatment market is expected to reach $7.7 billion by 2025, highlighting the condition's widespread impact.
The study's findings are particularly intriguing given the low-cost and environmentally friendly nature of laughter therapy. While the biological mechanism behind its effectiveness remains unclear, researchers noted that the exercises were designed to "optimally engage the ocular muscles of participants."
It's worth noting that dry eye can lead to corneal damage if left untretreated. Diagnosis often involves tear film break-up time and Schirmer's test, with treatment options ranging from artificial tears to more advanced therapies like cyclosporine eye drops and punctal plugs.
The researchers concluded that laughter exercise is a safe and cost-effective intervention for patients with symptomatic dry eye disease and limited corneal staining. This study opens up new possibilities for managing a condition that affects millions worldwide, potentially offering relief through an unexpected and somewhat amusing method.
As further research is conducted, it will be interesting to see how this unconventional approach might be integrated into existing treatment protocols for dry eye disease.