Omega fatty acid diet could give hope to millions of dry eye sufferers

Daily dietary supplementation with a unique combination of omega fatty acids for six months could improve optical irritation symptoms and halt the progression of inflammation that characterizes moderate to severe dry eye, a new study has found.

The multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at Baylor College of Medicine and Virginia Eye Consultants evaluated 38 post-menopausal women with tear dysfunction in both eyes.

Participants randomly received a proprietary blend of omega fatty acids, antioxidants and other nutrients (HydroEye), or a placebo every day.

Patients were assessed at baseline, four, 12 and 24-week intervals using a variety of disease parameters including Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) symptom severity questionnaire, topographical indices (SAI and SRI), inflammatory biomarkers (HLA-DR and CD11c), Schirmer tear flow measurement, tear breakup time (TBUT), and conjunctival fluorescein and lissamine green staining.

HydroEye was found to improve ocular irritation symptoms, suppress ocular surface inflammation, and maintain corneal surface smoothness.

The study is published online in the journal Cornea.