Inflammation of the eyelids may result from a condition known as blepharitis. The condition often results from bacteria or a skin condition such as rosacea. In severe cases, antibiotics may offer some relief, but in mild cases your doctor may simply recommend keeping your eyelids clean. To improve inflammation and other symptoms of blepharitis, you may want to talk to your doctor about the benefits of omega-3 sources such as fish oil.
Symptoms
Blepharitis may cause the rims of your eyelids to turn red. You may have dandruff-like flakes in your eyelashes, and you may have excess watering or a discharge. If the condition affects the surface of your eye, you may have redness on the white of your eye, and your eyes may sting or itch. In severe or untreated conditions, blepharitis may affect vision.
Fish Oil
Fish oil provides a good source for omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient your body needs. Omega-3 may help reduce inflammation, and this could offer some benefit for people who suffer from blepharitis.
For omega-3 from fish, you can eat certain types of fish such as salmon, tuna or halibut for omega-3, or you can take a fish oil supplement. How much you need each day depends on your health, as well as the medications you take.
Study
Researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Evanston Northwestern Healthcare in Illinois released study information in 2008 which evaluated the role of omega-3 in people with blepharitis and conditions of the meibomian glands, glands in the eyelids that secrete the oils used in the tears coating the eyes. The study found that people who used omega-3 supplements showed clinical improvements in their condition.
The study did not make a determination on whether omega-3 could treat or cure blepharitis. However, the findings indicate that people who suffer from chronic blepharitis may have some improvement over time with the use of fish oil or other omega-3 supplements.
Considerations
If you have symptoms of blepharitis, contact your doctor. You should not begin using supplements unless directed by your doctor since high doses of omega-3 could interfere with health conditions or the effectiveness of medications.
People who follow a vegetarian diet or who have reactions or allergies to fish may need to use an alternate source of omega-3 such as flaxseed oil. You can also find omega-3 in walnuts, pumpkin seeds and soybeans.
References
- American Optometric Association: Blepharitis
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD
- "Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society"; The Role of Omega-3 Dietary Supplementation in Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (An AOS Thesis); Marian S. Macsai, MD; December 2008
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