The surface of your eye has a coating called the tear film that has three layers. They are the oil, mucous and water layers, and each helps to nourish and soothe the surface tissues. If you do not have the necessary balance of these three layers, or if your eyes do not make enough tears to coat the eye, you may have a condition known as dry eye. In some cases a vitamin deficiency may contribute to dry eye problems.
Symptoms
If you have dry eyes, you may experience scratchiness, itching and burning on the surface of your eyes. You may also have inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue that covers the outer layer of your eye and the underside of your eyelids. This may result in swelling of your eyelids or in the eyelid margin across your eyelash line.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays a significant part in your visual acuity; it is so important that a deficiency in childhood can result in blindness. If you have a vitamin A deficiency, you may also experience problems with dry eye. Your doctor may recommend lab tests to determine the amount of this nutrient in your blood, and if she finds that you have low levels, she may recommend that you take supplements to increase the blood levels of vitamin A. Once the level of vitamin A in your blood stabilizes and you no longer have a deficiency, your eye symptoms should improve.
Omega-3
Deficiencies in other nutrients do not have any known connection to dry eye, but omega-3 may play a role in decreasing inflammation associated with dry eye problems. This fatty acid is found in foods such as salmon, walnuts and ground flaxseed. If your doctor believes using omega-3 may reduce these symptoms, she may recommend omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil capsules. Your doctor will inform you as to the appropriate dose of these supplements, and this may vary depending on your health, as well as medications and other supplements you take.
Considerations
If you suspect that you have a nutrient deficiency, contact your doctor. She will order blood tests to determine your levels and recommend treatment if necessary. Mild symptoms of dry eye may respond to artificial tears, a non-prescription eye drop that will provide lubrication for the surface of your eyes. If these drops do not offer relief, contact your eye doctor to discuss further options, such as a medicated eye drop.
References
- National Eye Institute; Facts About Dry Eye; August 2009
- Oregon State University; Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin A; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; November 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Steven D. Erlich, NMD; June 2009
- All About Vision; Using Flaxseed Oil and Fish Oil to Relieve Dry Eye; Gary Heiting, OD; March 2010
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