A new study in Optometry and Vision Science indicates that a novel combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids ingested as a dietary supplement significantly improves symptoms in people with severe dry eye disease.
Tell me about the study.
A total of 50 participants were included in this prospective, randomized, double-masked parallel group study. For 3 months 24 patients took a daily supplement containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and 26 took the placebo, which contained coconut and olive oil. (via)
What did they find?
Participants with baseline Ocular Surface Disease Index scores > 52 demonstrated a substantial improvement in symptoms with the investigative treatment at the 3-month follow-up, averaging a 20.8-point reduction compared with a 7.8-point reduction in the similarly symptomatic placebo group.
What was the "novel combination" of omega-3s and omega-6s?
The combination contained 1200 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, 300 mg docosahexaenoic acid, and 150 mg γ-linoleic acid. All supplements in the study were supplied by Nature’s Way Canada.
The take home.
The authors concluded that essential fatty acid supplementation is an established therapeutic option for dry eye disease.
This is the first study to show significant improvements in dry eye symptoms in a cohort of extremely symptomatic participants with dry eye disease associated with eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and γ-linoleic acid supplementation.