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Dry eye syndrome and omega‐3 fatty acids
Author(s) -
KAERCHER T
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2010.3223.x
Subject(s) - eicosapentaenoic acid , medicine , docosahexaenoic acid , fatty acid , omega 3 fatty acid , ophthalmology , contact lens , polyunsaturated fatty acid , chemistry , biochemistry
Purpose Dry eye disease is characterized by an inflammatory component of the ocular surface. Pathways to modulate inflammation include corticoids and cyclosporine. Omega‐3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid represent an alternate pharmacologic way to influence the inflammatory cascade. Methods Clinical studies. Results An epidemiologic study in 32.470 healthy women showed that those with a higher intake of omega‐3 fatty acids had a 68% decreased prevalence of dry eye syndrome. Hyposecretory dry eye was tested after intake of omega‐3 fatty acids for 45 days. Symptoms, signs and inflammatory markers like HLA‐DR improved. Hyperevaporative dry eye improved after a long‐term supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids with respect to symptoms, break‐up time and meibom score. Patients with refractive surgery (PRK) improved after omega‐3 fatty acids intake; this was derived from the OSDI‐score, Schirmer I test and tear clearance. In 102 contact‐lens wearers the symptoms and signs of dry eye improved after 12 weeks therapy with omega‐3 fatty acids. Conclusion Nutricionals with omega‐3 fatty acids show evidence‐based effects on the inflammatory component of ocular surface disease and tear film disorder. Their beneficial effect was tested for hypovolemic and hyperevaporative dry eye. Patients after refractive surgery and contact lens wearers improved after supplementation, too. In contrast to the available anti‐inflammatory therapy the supplementation is apt for a long‐term application.