What science says about Omega-3 For Dry Eye Syndrome (DES)

Scientists and medical experts have mixed opinions on using omega fatty acids for dry eye syndrome.

Some experts argue that the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) help alleviate dry eye symptoms and prevent vision loss because they both have anti-inflammatory properties. Accordingly, they help reduce inflammation that causes dry eye syndrome (DES).

EPA and DHA also help reinforce the eye’s fatty oil layer and restore tear gland functionality to regulate tear production and prevent tear evaporation.

Some experts also claim that the omega-6 fatty acids, linolenic acid (LA) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA), may lower inflammation in the eye and treat dry eye syndrome.

Plus, many research studies indicate that omega-3 and omega-6 are beneficial for dry eye syndrome.

However, ever since the results of the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study indicated that omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not affect dry eye syndrome, some medical experts argue that omega fatty acids do not help treat dry eye syndrome or improve vision.

Nevertheless, some experts responded to the DREAM study arguing that the study is flawed because the study used olive oil as a placebo. Olive oil contains omega-9 fatty acids that help reduce dry eye syndrome. Thus, the use of olive oil capsules may have skewed the results of the study and does not truly show whether omega-3 fatty acids help treat DES.

Furthermore, many experts remain skeptical about the use of omega-3 to treat dry eye syndrome since it is not yet clearly understood how omega fatty acids work to prevent the condition. Therefore, they need more evidence before they can confirm whether omega-3 improves eye health and helps treat dry eye syndrome.

Opinion in favor of taking omega fatty acid to treat dry eye syndrome (DES):

Supporters of omega-3 consumption for dry eye syndrome believe that this polyunsaturated fat benefits the eye because the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation which is the main cause behind dry eye syndrome.

Experts also argue that EPA and DHA also help the eye’s tear glands secrete meibum, the oily component of tears. Meibum prevents tear evaporation and keeps the eye lubricated, which helps prevent vision loss.

Some experts also claim that the omega-6 fatty acids, linolenic acid (LA) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA), may also lower inflammation in the eye and treat dry eye syndrome.

Many research studies indicate that omega-3 and omega-6 are beneficial for dry eye syndrome. However, they show that omega-3 is more effective than omega-6 at treating the condition.

For instance, the 2019 systematic review, “Efficacy of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for Treatment of Dry Eye Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials” found that omega-3 is an effective source of treatment for dry eye syndrome because it dramatically improved patient symptoms.

When discussing the benefits of omega-3 for dry eye syndrome, Dr. Joel Hayden, an optometrist and nutritionist, reaffirms that omega-3’s anti-inflammatory properties help relieve the inflammation that causes this condition.

Skeptical views about taking omega fatty acid to treat dry eye syndrome:
 
The opponents of the use of omega-3 fatty acids for dry eye syndrome agree that people need omega-3 in small amounts to maintain eye health. However, they believe that the evidence is contradictory about the role of omega-3 for treating or preventing dry eye syndrome.

Some studies report that omega-3 supplementation does not affect dry eye syndrome. Recently, the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study assessed whether omega-3 supplements improve dry eye syndrome. The results indicated that there was no difference in results for patients taking omega-3 versus patients taking a placebo.

Professor Maureen Maguire, an ophthalmologist at the University of Pennsylvania who studied the effect of omega-3 and placebo for dry eye relief, said, “Our findings provide evidence that, contrary to a long held belief in the ophthalmic community, omega-3 supplements are not significantly better than a placebo at reducing dry eye symptoms.”

However, some experts argue that the DREAM study is flawed. Drs. Jenna and Travis Zigler consider the results of the study inaccurate because the placebo was not a harmless sugar pill, it was an olive oil capsule. Because olive oil like omega fatty acids is a healthy fat, it might have skewed the results of the study. Thus, they conclude that the study does not offer an accurate representation of the beneficial effects of omega fatty acids.

Published: January 2021