Omega-3 rich diet reduces incidence of dry eye in women

Dry eye: less risk for women thanks to fish oil

Foods rich in Omega-3 decrease the risk of developing dry eye syndrome in women. Conversely, a diet more abundant in Omega-6 increases the likelihood of occurrence of this disease. A study edited by Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, United States, and published in the America Journal of Clinical Nutrition1^demonstrates a link between dietary fatty acids and this disturbance. For the authors, the results of the research confirm what physicians have already hypothesized based on observations made in daily clinical practice.

Dry eye: a tearing problem

Dry eye syndrome is a disorder that mainly affects people after the age of 40. Those who use contact lenses, those who spend a lot of time in front of computers, and those who are exposed to sun and wind are more likely to develop this disease. These situations can alter the tear film. Reduced tear production or an alteration in tear composition gives rise to the following symptoms:

• feeling of having sand in the eye;
• redness;
• pain;
• burning.

The role of fatty acids

The authors of the study assessed the consumption of fatty acids by 32,470 women, aged 45 to 84 years, through the analysis of questionnaires on eating habits. 4.7 percent of these women suffered from dry eye syndrome. The researchers determined that the incidence of the disorder is higher if the diet is characterized by a high ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3. They came to this result after taking into account factors such as hormone therapy intake and total fat consumption. In contrast, the risk of suffering from dry eye decreases by consuming tuna at least 2 times a week.

Omega-3 for eye health

The results obtained in this study are in line with those of other research that has demonstrated the benefits of Omega-3s for eye health and confirm the hypothesis formulated by physicians based on what they observe in their everyday work. For example: it is known that a diet rich in these fatty acids helps to counteract the progression of retinitis pigmentosa2^and that Omega-3s are useful in the treatment of ^retinopathy3. Other studies have shown that Omega-3 intake both through food and in the form of dietary supplements reduces dry eye symptoms4^,5. To prevent and to treat the symptoms of this disorder is possible:

• Consume foods rich in Omega-3s, such as oily fish and nuts;
• Take dietary supplements fortified with these nutrients, such as fish oil supplements.

Source 

1. Miljanović B, Trivedi KA, Dana MR, Gilbard JP, Buring JE, Schaumberg DA, "Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women," Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Oct;82(4):887-93 

2. Berson EL, Rosner B, Sandberg MA, Weigel-DiFranco C, Willet WC, "Omega-3 Intake and Visual Acuity in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa Receiving Vitamin A," Arch Ophthalmol., Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1001/archopthalmol.2011.2580 

3. Sapieha P, Stahl A, Chen J, Seaward MR, Willett KL, Krah NM, Dennison RJ, Connor KM, Aderman CM, Liclican E, Carughi A, Perelman D, Kanaoka Y, Sangiovanni JP, Gronert K, Smith LE, "5-Lipoxygenase metabolite 4-HDHA is a mediator of the antiangiogenic effect of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids," Sci Transl Med. 2011 Feb 9;3(69):69ra12 

4. Viau S, Maire MA, Pasquis B, Grégoire S, Acar N, Bron AM, Bretillon L, Creuzot-Garcher CP, Joffre C, "Efficacy of a 2-month dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids in scopolamine-induced dry eye in a rat model," Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2009 Aug;247(8):1039-50. Epub 2009 May 5 

5. Larmo PS, Järvinen RL, Setälä NL, Yang B, Viitanen MH, Engblom JR, Tahvonen RL, Kallio HP, "Oral sea buckthorn oil attenuates tear film osmolarity and symptoms in individuals with dry eye," J Nutr. 2010 Aug;140(8):1462-8. Epub 2010 Jun 16