“Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular surface disease characterized by symptoms of discomfort, irritation, and visual disturbance. DED imposes significant burdens on individuals, including impairment in social functioning, occupational functioning, and reduced quality of life. Known risk factors for DED include female sex, increasing age, and certain comorbid conditions (e.g., autoimmune diseases), and medications used to treat them.
Prevalence estimates of DED range from 5% to 34% in individuals over 50 years old.”
Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology
Dry eye disease (DED) and neuropathic ocular pain represent significant challenges within ophthalmology, affecting millions with persistent discomfort and visual disturbances. As these conditions often elude traditional medications and care plans, innovative approaches are continually being explored.
One such approach involves the use of Gabapentin, a medication primarily known for being prescribed in managing neuropathic pain. At Health Dimensions Clinical Pharmacy (HDRx), this has translated into a pioneering method for addressing severe ocular conditions.
Gabapentin: A Novel Approach for Ocular Pain
Gabapentin may have developed a role in eye health due to its ability to modulate neuronal activity. Originally designed for managing epilepsy, its mechanism involves the modulation of calcium channels, which can also influence neuropathic pain pathways.
This property is crucial for patients suffering from dry eye disease, where standard medications like artificial tears or anti-inflammatory drops fail to alleviate the full scope of symptoms.
Recent studies have observed Gabapentin’s potential in reducing symptoms associated with severe dry eye and neuropathic ocular pain. For instance, a study published in Acta Neurologica Belgica, a leading ophthalmology peer-reviewed journal, demonstrated that patients experiencing persistent ocular discomfort saw significant relief with Gabapentin, pointing towards its potential to block pain transmission pathways relevant to ocular health.
“Addition of gabapentin to treatment resulted in significant improvement in dry eye evaluation test scores and ocular pain compared to topical surface treatment.”
Source: Acta Neurologica Belgica
Related Article:
Is gabapentin effective in dry eye disease and neuropathic ocular pain?
Compounded Gabapentin: Shipping Available with Prescription
At HDRx, the focus is on personalized medicine. Recognizing the unique challenges posed by conditions like dry eye disease, HDRx collaborates closely with ophthalmologists and other eye care specialists to formulate custom-compounded Gabapentin medications tailored to individual patient needs.
HDRx: Sterile and Non-Sterile Eye Medication Specialists
For patients struggling with severe dry eye disease and related neuropathic pain, Gabapentin offers a potentially promising avenue for relief. As research continues to evolve, HDRx remains dedicated to incorporating scientific developments into medication plans-of-action, helping to improve the quality of life for those affected by these challenging ocular conditions.
For more information or to discuss the potential of compounded Gabapentin for ocular pain, contact HDRx today. We are licensed to ship prescriptions to Michigan statewide as well as FL, IL, IN, MN, OH, and WI. OTC shipped nationwide.
PCAB Accreditation Matters
HDRx has proven invaluable for many practitioners looking to provide targeted therapies for complex ocular conditions. Not only do we provide non-sterile preparations like Gabapentin, but we also formulate sterile compounds like eye drops, injections, and IVs.
- Personalization: Tailoring medication strengths and dosages to the specific requirements of each patient.
- Versatility: Offering various forms of medication, such as topical formulations or oral capsules, to improve patient compliance and comfort.
- Innovation: Integrating the latest research into practice, providing patients with access to cutting-edge options not available through standard pharmaceutical channels.
With a commitment to quality and patient safety, HDRx is PCAB accredited, ensuring that all compounded medications meet rigorous standards. This accreditation is particularly important when dealing with sterile preparations required for ocular applications, underscoring HDRx’s dedication to excellence.
References
Dana, R., Bradley, J. L., Guerin, A., Pivneva, I., Stillman, I. Ö., Evans, A. M., & Schaumberg, D. A. (2019). Estimated prevalence and incidence of dry eye disease based on coding analysis of a large, all-age United States health care system. American journal of ophthalmology, 202, 47–54.
Galor, A., et al. (2015). Neuropathic ocular pain: an important yet underevaluated feature of dry eye. Eye 29.3: 301–312.
Gayton, J. L. (2009). Etiology, prevalence, and treatment of dry eye disease. Clinical ophthalmology, 405–412.
Ongun N, Ongun GT. Is gabapentin effective in dry eye disease and neuropathic ocular pain? Acta Neurol Belg. 2021 Apr;121(2):397–401. doi: 10.1007/s13760-019-01156-w. Epub 2019 May 27. PMID: 31134508.
