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Use of oral re-esterified omega-3 supplements yields positive visual outcomes in dry eye disease
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WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease who were administered oral re-esterified omega-3 supplements showed positive visual outcomes, according to a speaker at Hawaiian Eye 2016.
Frank A. Bucci Jr., MD, conducted a prospective, double-masked, multicenter, interventional trial that included 105 patients who were randomized to receive re-esterified oral omega-3 supplements or placebo. Fifty-one patients were placed in the placebo group, and 54 patients were placed in the treatment group.
Frank A. Bucci Jr.
The treatment group received four capsules of Dry Eye Omega Benefits (PRN Omega Health) while the placebo group received four capsules of safflower oil at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks.
“This was a three-to-one combination, so you get 1,680 mg of EPA and 560 mg DHA. The three-to-one ratio is thought to help dry eye more than other ratios,” Bucci said.
Researchers found mean tear osmolarity decreased 19 mOsm/L in the treatment group and 8 mOsm/L in the placebo group from baseline to the 12-week follow-up.
The Ocular Surface Disease Index score from baseline to 12 weeks was a mean change of –17 in the treatment group and –5 in the placebo group.
Mean tear break-up time increased 3.47 seconds in the treatment group and 1.20 seconds in the placebo group from baseline to 12 weeks.
At baseline, 43% of patients in the treatment group and 32% of patients in the placebo group tested positive for MMP-9. At week 12, 20% of patients in the treatment group and 30% in the placebo group tested positive for MMP-9, Bucci said.
The omega index increased from 4.19% to 7.19% in the treatment group and from 4.9% to 5.14% in the placebo group from baseline to 12 weeks.
“Just over 2 g of re-esterified oral omega-3s demonstrated statistically significant changes in four variables associated with dry eye and one variable related to delivering the omega to the target tissues in a prospective randomized trial,” Bucci said. – by Nhu Te
Reference:
Bucci FA. Effect of oral re-esterified omega-3 supplementation on dry eye disease: Double-masked randomized, multicenter and placebo-controlled study. Presented at: Hawaiian Eye 2016; Jan. 16-22, 2016; Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Disclosure: Bucci reports he has financial interests with Abbott, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb, Lensar, PRN Omega Health, Refocus Group, Glaukos, AqueSys, TearScience, Omeros and Alphaeon.