28 Apr 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)
– See more at: https://dradatya.com/category/blog/page/5/#sthash.m8hK2r02.dpuf