Re-esterfied omega-3 fatty acids effective for dry eye
Oral consumption of re-esterfied omega-3 fatty acids once daily for 12 weeks is “an effective treatment for dry eye disease,” said Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD.
San Diego-Oral consumption of re-esterfied omega-3 fatty acids (1680 mg EPA and 560 mg DHA) once daily for 12 weeks is “an effective treatment for dry eye disease,” said Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD.
"Oral omega-3 supplementation is one of the foundations for the management of meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye symptoms," said Dr. Donnenfeld, Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, New York.
Dry eye is the leading cause of meibomian gland dysfunction, and oral nutrition is considered a primary therapy, he said.
Dr. Donnenfeld presented data from a study that assessed the effect of oral re-esterified omega-3 fatty acids on tear osmolarity, MMP-9, ocular surface disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer's score, corneal staining, and omega index.
“Looking at osmolarity has become the lynchpin for dry eye,” he said.
By week 6, there were already statistically significant differences between the treated eyes and the placebo group, and by week 12 even more so in all study parameters, Dr. Donnenfeld said.
With MMP-9, “there was a large trend change from baseline in the omega-3 treated group,” he said.
TBUT changes were statistically significant by week 12, he said, and OSDI symptoms were reduced by 17 points in the omega-3 group versus 5 in the placebo group by week 12.
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