Some 9 million people across the United States suffer moderate to severe dry eye symptoms, according to experts at Harvard University's Schepens Eye Research Institute. An even greater number of Americans suffer from unreported milder cases of the condition, which is very common among the elder population. Liquid supplements with flaxseed or fish oil may offer some relief, although medication or tear duct plugs may be necessary for more severe cases. While such supplements have shown promise in medical studies, there is insufficient evidence to prove that they cure dry eye syndrome. Consult your doctor before beginning self-treatment with flaxseed or fish oil because they may cause side effects in some cases.
Dry Eye Syndrome
If you are unable to produce adequate tears, you may have dry eye syndrome, informally called "dry eyes." Your tears may be inadequate either because you don't produce enough moisture or because the composition of your tears is less than ideal. You need a mix of oil, saline and mucus for your tears to protect your eyes. The saline lubricates your eyes while the oil --- the product of tiny glands in your eyelids --- slows evaporation of the water. The mucus layer helps your tears to spread evenly over the surface of your cornea to prevent dry spots where irritation can develop. If you have dry eye syndrome, you may experience burning, itching, watery eyes, blurred vision or eye fatigue. Although dry eye syndrome usually does not lead to blindness, it does affect your ability to perform important visual-related functions, such as driving and reading.
Causes
Dry eyes most commonly are the result of a blockage in the oil-producing meibomian glands on your eyelids. Certain skin conditions, such as rosacea, can contribute to malfunction of these glands. Another cause may be inadequate saline production, which is essential for washing dirt and debris from your eyes. Also, if you don't produce enough saline, the oil and mucus in your tears may mix and form a stringy discharge along the edges of your eyes. Lasik surgery, the aging process and some medications -- including birth control pills, antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, high blood pressure medications, oral acne medications and some pain relievers -- can reduce your ability to produce tears. Certain diseases, including lupus, scleroderma, diabetes and thyroid disease, also make you more vulnerable to dry eye syndrome. Dry air, windy conditions and high altitude may provoke or exacerbate dry eyes. Women are more prone to dry eye syndrome than are men.
Flaxseed vs. Fish Oil
A 2003 study by researchers at Harvard Medical School revealed that women who consumed higher amounts of dietary omega-3 fatty acids had a lower risk of dry eye syndrome. Omega-3 oils are available in two forms of dietary supplements. Flaxseed is a nutritional supplement that comes from plants. Available in both liquid and capsule form, it is rich in "short chain" alpha-linolenic omega-3 fatty acids that may help dry eye. Your body, however, must convert the short chain form of omega 3 into different forms of omega 3, called EPA and DHA, in order to use it to address your dry eye symptoms. By contrast, fish oil contains "long-chain" omega-3 fatty acids that your body can use without conversion. Fish oil also is available in both liquid and capsule forms. Dr. Alison J. Loranger of Advanced Vision Care at the Brown Center in East Providence, Rhode Island, recommends 1,000 mg daily of omega-3 fatty acids containing both DHA and EPA for general well-being and disease prevention. She notes that omega-3 therapy for disease treatment varies with the type of disease and can range from 1,000 mg to 4,000 mg per day, depending on your doctor's recommendation.
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Many Americans consume too many omega-6 fatty acids, which are present in vegetable oils, including sunflower, corn, safflower, cottonseed and soy. These fats, which are common in processed snack products and fast foods, inhibit your body's ability to produce EPA and DHA, and they block your absorption of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids also tend to promote inflammation, which can exacerbate meibomian gland dysfunction.
Cautions
Fish oil, especially in high doses, can lead to gastric problems, such as acid reflux, diarrhea, bloating or heartburn. High doses of fish oil also may increase your risk of bleeding. Select a brand of fish oil that monitors the mercury content of the fish used in the production of the oil. Flaxseed oil is sensitive to heat, light and air, so store it in your refrigerator.
References
- All About Vision: Using Flaxseed Oil and Fish Oil to Relieve Dry Eye
- MayoClinic.com: Dry Eyes
- Schepens Eye Research Institute: Dry Eye
- MayoClinic.com: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-linolenic Acid
- "Investigative Opthalmology and Visual Science"; Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake and Risk of Clinically Diagnosed Dry Eye Syndrome in Women; K.A. Trivedi, et al.; 2003
- Alison J. Loranger, O.D.; Ocular Health; East Providence, Rhode Island
