Alternative und integrative Medizin

The Effect of Hochu-ekki-to on Aqueous Flare Elevation after Small- Incision Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Shoichi Mizoguchi and Noriaki Chinen

Background: In Japan, Kampo medicines (Japanese herbal medicines) are often used as adjuvant therapy to Western medicines. In the present study, the effect of Kampo medicine Hochu-ekki-to (HOT) on aqueous flare elevation (AFE) after small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) was investigated. Materials and methods: Fifteen patients (24 eyes) with age-related cataracts that underwent SICS were prospectively studied. Patients with glaucoma, diabetes, or uveitis were excluded from the study. HOT was orally administered to seven subjects (12 eyes) from the day of surgery through postoperative week 4. Control group subjects (eight subjects; 12 eyes) did not receive HOT. Both groups received the same nonsteroidal, steroidal, and antibacterial eye drops before and after surgery. AFE was measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: AFE at postoperative weeks 2 and 4 was significantly lower in the HOT group than in the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that HOT is effective in suppressing AFE.