Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may help improve dry eye, especially for older women, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Dry eye causes burning and a gritty, itchy feeling because tears evaporate too quickly. Tears are composed of three layers consisting of oil, water and mucus. Dry eye affects the balance of these layers so that tear quality is decreased.
That same delicate balance is affected by omega-3, a fatty acid found in fish such as tuna and salmon, and in vegetable sources such as flax seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts and canola oil.
"The authors of the study divided fats into two groups: good fats, or omega-3s, which are derived from seafood sources, and bad fats, derived from things like margarine and butter," says Bennie Jeng, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute. "If you consume a higher ratio of good to bad fats, you have a lower chance of developing dry eye."
Dry eye can be caused by several factors, including hormonal imbalance, malfunction of the tear-flow system of the eye, inflammation, overexposure to air-conditioning or heating and some medications. Laser eye surgery and environmental factors, such as smoke and contact lens use, can temporarily worsen symptoms.
"Patients often ask if there is a way they can adjust their diet to prevent dry eye. In the past, we sometimes recommended taking flaxseed oil, but this study suggests a correlation between good fats and a decreased chance of developing dry eye, so eating omega-3-rich seafood may be even more helpful," says Dr. Jeng. "A comprehensive evaluation by an ophthalmologist skilled in treating dry eye is also a good idea if your symptoms persist or are severe."
WEB EXTRA! Eye Health – If your eyes often feel as if they have something gritty in them, you may have dry eye. Listen to or download this podcast.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 9/1/2007
