Dry eye is a condition that affects the surface of your eyes, typically resulting when the eyes produce an inadequate amount of tears. Symptoms include burning, stinging, redness and blurry vision. Lubrication with artificial tears may provide short-term relief from symptoms. If you think herbal supplements may provide additional relief, you should talk with your doctor. She can help you determine the best possible treatment, and she will inform you of potential side effects from using herbal remedies.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil is a product from the flax plant. This oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, a necessary nutrient for your health. In addition to aiding growth and helping prevent serious health conditions, such as heart disease, the omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed oil may also help reduce inflammation. This could prove beneficial for some dry eye sufferers. Flaxseed oil will not prevent or treat the cause of dry eye problems, but the anti-inflammatory properties from the omega-3 may help reduce the severity of symptoms. If you and your doctor believe flaxseed may benefit your condition, she will tell you how much flaxseed oil you should take each day.
Primrose Oil
Primrose oil is an extract from the evening primrose, a flowering plant that blooms in the evening. This oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid that your body needs for growth and function. Some types of omega-6 increases symptoms of inflammation, but gamma-linolenic acid may help reduce inflammation and associated symptoms. In theory, the anti-inflammatory properties could reduce redness and discomfort associated with dry eye. Talk with your doctor before starting a regimen of primrose oil. She can help you determine if this supplement will offer the best treatment option, and if she agrees that primrose oil may help reduce symptoms, she will tell you how much to use each day.
Borage Oil
Some people use borage oil, also known as ox's tongue or starflower oil, to treat conditions such as arthritis and symptoms of menopause. Borage oil contains gamma-linolenic acid. Like primrose oil, gamma-linolenic acid may help reduce inflammation, and this may potentially reduce the intensity of dry eye symptoms. If your doctor feels that borage oil may benefit your condition, she will tell you the best way to use the oil and how much to use each day.
Considerations
If you have dry eye symptoms that persist, you should contact your doctor for an evaluation. During your examination, you can talk with your doctor about using flaxseed oil, primrose oil, or borage oil for your condition. She will help you determine the appropriate treatment. Do not begin using these or any other supplement without first discussing the possible side effects with your doctor.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Dry Eyes
- All About Vision: Using Flaxseed Oil and Fish Oil to Relieve Dry Eye
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Evening Primrose Oil
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Borage
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed Oil
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-6 Fatty Acids
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