Faculty Collaboration Database

Homeopathic Agents or Vitamins in Reducing Ecchymosis after Oculofacial Surgery: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology 2022 Feb;129(2):220-226

Date

06/29/2021

Pubmed ID

34176651

DOI

10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.05.018

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85108816008 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To review the published literature to determine the efficacy and safety of homeopathic agents or vitamins in reducing ecchymosis after oculofacial surgery or laser surgery.

METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database initially in December 2019 and updated in March 2020 to identify all studies in the English language literature on the use of homeopathic agents or vitamins in oculofacial procedures, including laser surgery. The search yielded 124 citations, and 11 articles met all inclusion criteria for this assessment. A panel methodologist then assigned a level of evidence rating for each study. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria; 9 were rated level I, and 2 were rated level III.

RESULTS: The agents studied in the articles identified included oral or topical Arnica montana (AM), oral Melilotus extract, topical vitamin K oxide, and topical AM combined with Rhododendron tomentosum. Metrics to describe ecchymosis varied. In 7 controlled studies, perioperative AM provided no or negligible benefit versus placebo. In 2 studies, vitamin K cream was equivalent to placebo. One study of oral Melilotus extract had less ecchymosis compared with controls in paranasal and eyelid ecchymosis at postoperative day (POD) 7, but not at PODs 1 and 4. A lone cohort study of combined topical AM and R. tomentosum lacked objective metrics and adequate controls. No serious side effects from administration of homeopathic agents or vitamins were identified.

CONCLUSIONS: The current literature does not support the use of AM, vitamin K oxide, R. tomentosum, or Melilotus extract for reducing ecchymosis after oculofacial surgery or pulsed dye laser surgery.

Author List

Tao JP, Aakalu VK, Freitag SK, Sobel RK, Foster JA, Wladis EJ, McCulley TJ, Yen MT

Author

Vinay Kumar Aakalu MPH, MD Chair, Professor in the Ophthalmology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Academies and Institutes
Ecchymosis
Eyelid Diseases
Face
Humans
Materia Medica
Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
Ophthalmology
Paranasal Sinus Diseases
Plant Extracts
Technology Assessment, Biomedical
United States
Vitamin K