Posted on 09/15/2024 8:12:53 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic condition estimated to affect around 360 million individuals worldwide.
Evidence suggests laughter therapy alleviates chronic pain, while strengthening immune function. But whether laughter therapy has a beneficial effect on dry eye disease is still unknown.
The findings are based on 283 participants who were assessed for dry eye disease using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score and randomly assigned to receive laughter exercise or 0.1% sodium hyaluronic acid eye drops four times a day for eight weeks.
The laughter exercise group watched an instructional video and were asked to vocalize and repeat the phrases "Hee hee hee, hah hah hah, cheese cheese cheese, cheek cheek cheek, hah hah hah hah hah hah" 30 times per five minute session using a face recognition mobile app to standardize the exercise and enhance facial movements.
The eye drop (control) group applied 0.1% sodium hyaluronic acid eye drops to both eyes four times a day for eight weeks.
Both treatments were stopped at eight weeks and any change in eye surface discomfort scores were measured at weeks 10 and 12.
The average OSDI score at eight weeks was 10.5 points lower (indicating less discomfort) in the laughter exercise group and 8.83 lower in the control group, with a mean difference of −1.45 points, suggesting that laughter exercise was no less effective than eye drops.
Laughter exercise also showed significant improvements in non-invasive tear break up time (time taken for the first dry spot to appear on the cornea), meibomian gland function (oil glands that help prevent tears from evaporating), and mental health scores. No adverse events were noted in either study group.
"As a safe intervention, laughter exercise could serve as a treatment for people with symptomatic dry eye disease and limited corneal staining," they add.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
“The laughter exercise group watched an instructional video and were asked to vocalize and repeat the phrases “Hee hee hee, hah hah hah, cheese cheese cheese, cheek cheek cheek, hah hah hah hah hah hah” 30 times per five minute session”
The researchers were rolling on the floor busting a gut. “We ACTUALLY got them to do it!!!”
Not much to laugh about in Biden’s America.
I get itchy eyes from seasonal allergies. The Kettifen fumarate Ophthalmic Solution works, and quickly. Laughter, not so much.
Make that “Ketotifen”
I had severe dry eyes, even expensive OTC drops were no help, and I tried different drops. I was on the verge of not being able to drive.
Restasis was the answer for me. Within about three months I was much improved, and within about 6 months my eyes were near normal. I continued Restatsis for about a year and gradually slacked off. I was lucky, some people have to continue treatment for a lifetime. Dry eye disease isn’t just a nuisance, it’s serious and can be debilitating.
“Not much to laugh about in Biden’s America.”
But the memes could counteract that a little ....? I know I laugh my butt off at them.
IIRC, Restasis is extremely expensive...?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.