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Dry eye signs, symptoms improve with re-esterified omega-3
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Researchers confirmed the improvement in the signs and symptoms for dry eye after 12 weeks and support the recommendation that dietary supplementation of re-esterified omega-3 fatty acids should be included as a primary therapy, according to a study in Cornea.
The multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-masked study involved 105 subjects randomized to receive four softgels containing a total of 1,680 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid/560 mg of docosahexaenoic acid or a control of 3,136 mg of linoleic acid, daily for 12 weeks. Mean patient age was 56.8 years, with 54 subjects randomized to omega-3 group and 51 subjects to the control group.
Tear osmolarity, tear break-up time (TBUT), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) symptoms scores all improved at 12 weeks compared to the control group.
In the omega-3 group, a reduction of 16.8 mOsm/L vs. 9.0 mOsm/L was observed at week 6 and 19.4 mOsm/L at week 12.
Statistically significant increases in omega-3 index levels and TBUT were also found.
Researchers also reported OSDI score reduction in omega-3 of 17.0 vs. the control group at 5.0.
The omega-3 group experienced a 67.9% reduction in MMP-9 positivity in a 12-week period, whereas the control group experienced a 35% decrease throughout the same time period, according to the study.
The researchers wrote that improved tear film quality and stability may result in less visual fluctuation. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Epitropoulos received compensation from PRN Physician Recommended Nutraceuticals for participating in the study. Please see the full study for remaining authors’ financial disclosures.