Effect of Red Ginseng on Visual Function and Vision-related Quality of Life in Patients with Glaucoma

Abstract

Background: Red ginseng has been found to improve ocular perfusion and dry eye syndrome in glaucomatouseyes; however, its effects on visual function and vision-related quality of life have not beeninvestigated. This study sought to evaluate the effects of red ginseng on visual function and visionrelatedquality of life in glaucoma patients using contrast sensitivity and a questionnaire. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to two groups in this prospective, randomized, doubleblindstudy: in one group, red ginseng was taken first, followed by a placebo, and in the other, placebowas taken first, followed by red ginseng. We measured and compared changes in contrast sensitivityand vision-related quality of life between the two groups. Contrast sensitivity was measured usingOPTEC® 6500P, and vision-related quality of life was evaluated using the 25-item National Eye InstituteVisual Function Questionnaire. One-way and two-way repeated measure analyses of variance were usedfor the comparison. Relationships between respective changes in dry eye syndrome and contrastsensitivity were also analyzed. Results: Daytime contrast sensitivity and ocular pain improved after the administration of red ginseng. Nighttime contrast sensitivity was improved in early or moderate glaucoma. Improved contrast sensitivitywas not associated with improvement in dry eye syndrome. Conclusion: Red ginseng could improve contrast sensitivity and ocular pain in patients with glaucoma. The mechanism underlying improvement in contrast sensitivity appears to be associated with enhancedretinal perfusion or retinal ganglion cell function, but not dry eye syndrome.