OCuSOFT Inc. has unveiled Retaine Omega Forté, a new nutritional supplement to its Retaine product line formulated to support patients with dry eye symptoms.
Big news! But let’s start with a refresh on OCuSOFT.
As a privately-held skin and eye care pharma company, OCuSOFT offers an extensive range of eyecare products targeting dry eye (see here).
Among these: The company is known for its development of:
- OCuSOFT Lid Scrub, the first eyelid hygiene cleansing agent
- The Retaine brand of specialized, often preservative-free (PF) ocular products such as artificial tears, drops, sprays, emulsions, and ointments for dry eye relief and ocular surface comfort.
And in (relatively) recent news: We last reported on OCuSOFT’s August 2024 launch of Retaine Allergy, a prescription-strength antihistamine drop formulated with olopatadine hydrochloride (HCl) ophthalmic solution, USP 0.2% for eye allergy itch relief.
Speaking of Retaine … talk about this latest addition.
Retaine Omega Forté is a highly purified omega-3 nutritional supplement formulated for dry eye support by offering a daily dose of omega-3 essential fatty acids via:
- 2,490 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- 405 mg of additional omega-3
Can you explain EPA and DHA?
These two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids help improve the lipid component of the tear film by reducing inflammation and increasing eye moisture.
- EPA acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent to reduce dry eye symptoms and support retinal health
- DHA constitutes roughly 60% of the retina’s fatty acids to support photoreceptor function
Sounds like major benefits! So how is this supplement taken?
Orally. And though it’s formulated with high-quality anchovy oil—a potent EPA and DHA supporting retinal health—OCuSOFT noted that the lemon-flavored liquid leaves behind “no fishy aftertaste.”
And along those lines: Unlike other omega-3-based products, the supplement is also reported to utilize the “natural triglyceride (TG) form”—in other words: the natural molecular form of fatty acids.
- Why this is important: Natural TG form has been found to have better absorption (by an estimated 70%) and stability compared to synthetic forms such as ethyl esters (which other omega-3 products typically utilize).
And how is this enabled?
OCuSOFT noted the use of its OmniPure TG process, a manufacturing/processing method.
This essentially preserves omega-3 oils (EPA and DHA, for instance) in their natural TG form, contributing to a product quality that emphasizes “purity, freshness, and a (less-fishy-tasting) sensory profile.”
Nice! So where can Retain Omega Forte be purchased?
Per the company, the supplement will be available through select eyecare providers and on its website (though as of Jan. 26, it has not yet been added to the online store).
- Contact the company for information on pricing.