Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Abstract: Dry eye and Omega 3 EFAs

Don't get excited. This is just one of those studies that studies other studies to let us know whether we know anything yet.

The answer seems to be that we know just about enough that you should keep taking your fish or flaxseed oil until we know enough to tell you whether it was worth it (that is, if you haven't noticed on your own).

Essential Fatty acids in the treatment of dry eye.
Ocul Surf. 2010 Jan;8(1):18-28.
Rosenberg ES, Asbell PA.

From the Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine,New York, NY.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) play many important roles in human biology, affecting organ systems and cellular and intracellular function. Omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs are the precursors of eicosanoids, locally acting hormones involved in mediating inflammatory processes. It is largely via the production of these eicosanoids that the essential fatty acids influence human health and disease. In general, the omega-3 derived eicosanoids are anti-inflammatory while the n-6 pathway eicosanoids promote inflammation. To date, EFAs have been primarily studied with regard to systemic diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease. Currently, no dietary recommendations of EFAs for the prevention or treatment of eye disease exist. The majority of studies concerning EFAs and eye disease have focused on diseases of the retina. This article provides an overview of the current literature regarding EFAs and dry eye disease (DED). Eight studies were identified, including six randomized controlled trials. All the studies preliminarily confirmed that there is a relationship between EFA supplementation and improvement in DED. However, strong conclusions cannot be made yet because of limitations in the research reported. The role of essential fatty acids is an important topic that would benefit from a large, multicenter, randomized clinical trial powered to reach a conclusion regarding the efficacy of essential fatty acids in the treatment of dry eye disease.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I started taking a combined Omega 3 supplement in 2007 following PRK eye surgery. I found it while looking in the eye drop aisle, and it was marked dry eye nutrition. I take one capsule/day. Honestly, I cannot say for sure whether it still helps with dry eye because I've never stopped taking it for very long, and I still use eye drops everyday. However, there is no doubt that it helps alleviate joint pain and improves digestive health. It is a Godsend and worth trying. Just be patient, though, because it takes about two weeks before you will notice a difference.