Dry Eye: No Benefit From Fatty Acid Supplements

Expires on 07/14/2022
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(Source: Medscape) Omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not alleviate dry eye disease, according to results from a randomized controlled trial.

Maureen G. Maguire, PhD, Carolyn F. Jones Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and the Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study (DREAM) Research Group reported the findings today at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) in Washington, DC, and published them in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Many eye care clinicians recommend omega-3 dietary supplements to relieve dry eyes because the fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and are safe to use. However, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern guidelines state that "the evidence is insufficient to establish the effectiveness" of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in combating dry eyes.

To investigate the efficacy of fatty acid supplementation, Maguire and colleagues conducted a multicenter, double-blind clinical trial in which they randomly assigned patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease to receive daily either 3000 mg fish oil (containing omega-3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) or olive oil placebo. The patients had to have demonstrated dry eye on two consecutive exams 2 weeks apart before enrollment.

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Journal Topics Eye Care
Medical Professionals Eye Care Professionals (ECP), Nutrition Care Professionals (NCP)

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