Each time you blink, your eyelids spread a tear film across the surface of your eye. If you do not produce enough tears, or if your three-layer tear film has poor quality, you can experience dry eye. Many people with dry eye have increased symptoms in the morning since you produce fewer tears at night and do not blink. You might need to evaluate ways you can decrease symptoms, such as with omega-3.
Symptoms
Dry eye typically will cause irritation or discomfort on the surface of your eyes, but you also can experience redness, itching and burning. Your vision might blur, but a series of rapid blinks often helps clear it. Some people, however, will experience these symptoms with greater intensity. For example, blinking might not clear your vision right away or your eyelids might feel heavy or stuck together.
Omega-3
Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that aids in proper growth and body development. This fatty acid also might help prevent many health conditions, such as heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids also might help treat dry eye. Taking omega-3 will not cure dry eye, but continued use could help relieve the intensity of your symptoms. If you and your doctor determine that omega-3 might offer relief, your doctor will determine the dose of omega-3 that is appropriate for you. In most cases, a doctor will recommend fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil capsules to ensure that you receive the necessary amount of omega-3 each day. Dietary sources of omega-3 include ground flaxseed and walnuts, as well as certain types of fish, such as salmon and mackerel.
Artificial Tears
In addition to omega-3, you might need to use over-the-counter artificial tears to lubricate the surface of your eyes. These tears do not contain medication, so you can safely use them throughout the day. Some artificial tears have a thick, gel-like quality, and your doctor might recommend using these thicker eye drops before you go to bed. These drops might provide added protection during the night, which can help reduce morning dry eye problems.
Considerations
Discuss omega-3 with your doctor before using omega-3 supplements or adding additional omega-3 to your diet. Omega-3 has many benefits to your health, but high doses of omega-3 can interfere with certain health conditions, such as diabetes. If you take blood thinning medications, omega-3 can intensify the medications' actions, resulting in an increased risk for bleeding.
Member Comments