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Study suggests connection between omega-3 acids, dry eye in women
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SANTIAGO, Chile — Women with a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be at a decreased risk of developing dry eye syndrome, one researcher suggested here.
Jeffrey Gilbard, MD, and colleagues assessed the intake of omega-3 fatty acids and the incidence of dry eye syndrome in 32,470 female health professionals aged between 45 and 84 years using validated questionnaires. He presented the study results in a free paper at the Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology.
“We used logistic regression models to estimate odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals to describe the relationship of intake of omega-3 acids to dry eye as well as the relationship of fish consumption and dry eye syndrome,” Dr. Gilbard said.
The researchers found that the adjusted odds ratio for highest vs. lowest dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was 0.83.
They also observed a significant association between tuna fish consumption and dry eye syndrome, with a confidence interval of 0.67 to 1.00, for 2 to 4 servings per week.
Dr. Gilbard said this is the first study that has evaluated this relationship, but the results are consistent with clinical observations.
“The more omega-3 fatty acids women eat, the less dry eye they will have,” he said.