Dry Eye Syndrome and Omega-3 Supplementation

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Dry Eye Syndrome and Omega-3 Supplementation

• Chronic dry eye impacts nearly 10 million Americans each year

– about 3.2 million women over the age of 50 are affected by chronic dry eye

– While the onset of dry eye occurs more frequently during menopause, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women between the ages of 35 and 50 are at risk

• Patients with dry eye disease suffer from chronic ocular discomfort and variable visual disturbances, including infection or visual impairment

• Symptoms include irritation, burning, stinging, discomfort, grittiness, foreign body sensation, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.

• The inflammatory process of the eye is an important underlying cause of dry eye syndrome

• Omega-3 fatty acids may exert beneficial effects on dry eye syndrome via their anti-inflammatory mechanism of action

– Precursors of eicosanoids, resolvins and protectins

(Rand & Asbell. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2011;22:279–282;)

Omega-3 Supplementation for Dry Eye Syndrome:

A Pilot, Prospective, Randomized, Double-masked, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

DESIGN:

• 36 patients with dry eye syndrome supplemented fish oil (450 mg EPA + 300 mg DHA daily) plus flaxseed oil (1000 mg/day) or placebo for 90 days

RESULTS:

• At endpoint, 70 % of the patients in the treatment group become symptom-free as compared to only 7% of those on the placebo group

• The average tear production and tear volume was increased in the omega-3 group

–Significantly increased both stimulated and unstimulated salivary gland secretion

SUGGESTED MECHANISM:

• EPA and DHA and the resolution of inflammation

– Resolvin E1 (as derived from EPA) was found to significantly improve tear production and to decrease inflammation

(Su et al. J Clin Psychiatry 2008;69:644-51; Li et al. J Ocular Pharm Therapeutics 2010;26:431-9)
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