Can fish oil help relieve dry eyes? Comprehensive analysis and health advice

In modern cities, dry eyes have become a common eye problem, especially for office workers and students who use electronic devices for a long time. It is said online that fish oil can help improve dry eyes, but is there any scientific basis for this claim? This article will explore the relationship between fish oil and dry eyes and provide practical health advice.

What is dry eye?

Dry Eye Syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a disease of the eyes caused by tear secretion disorders or abnormal tear quality, such as dryness, fatigue, itching, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, sticky secretions and photophobia .

According to the data from the Chinese Ophthalmological Society, there are more than 200 million dry eye patients in China, and the incidence rate is increasing year by year, showing a trend of younger people. People who use screen devices such as computers and mobile phones for a long time are even more at risk.

Causes of Dry Eyes

• Working habits: Staring at the screen for a long time reduces the number of blinks, causing tears to evaporate faster.
• Age and gender: Women and people over 65 are at higher risk, which is related to hormonal changes.
• Environmental factors: air conditioning, dry climate, smoke, ultraviolet rays, etc. will intensify tear evaporation.
• Wearing contact lenses: Long-term wearing can damage the tear film function and increase the risk of dry eyes.

The scientific evidence for fish oil (omega-3) and dry eyes

Mechanism of action of omega-3 fatty acids

• Omega-3 is an unsaturated fatty acid that can inhibit inflammatory responses, reduce ocular surface inflammation, and improve the function of the meibomian glands (secreting oil, locking in moisture).
• Supplementing with Omega-3 can increase the health of the meibomian glands, improve the stability of the tear film, and reduce tear evaporation.

Important clinical research

1. High-dose DHA Omega-3 improves dry eye in meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
   Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 24 patients in the omega-3 group and 26 patients in the placebo group.
   Results: After 8 weeks of high-dose omega-3 supplementation, the MGD score was significantly improved, the tear breakup time (TBUT) was significantly prolonged, and the eyes were moister.
2. Omega-3 improves dry eye symptoms in contact lens wearers
   Study Design: 496 contact lens users, randomized to receive either omega-3 or placebo for 6 months.
   Results: The dry eye symptoms in the Omega-3 group were alleviated, the wearing comfort was improved, and the tear film test and cytological indicators were improved.
3. Different forms of omega-3 (fish oil vs krill oil) for dry eye treatment
   Study design: 60 patients with mild to moderate dry eye were divided into three groups: fish oil, krill oil, and placebo, and took them for 90 days.
   Results: Both omega-3s could reduce tear osmotic pressure and increase tear stability, and the krill oil group had better effects.

In addition to fish oil, what other nutrients can help dry eyes?

• Vitamin A: Maintains corneal health; deficiency can aggravate dry eyes.
• Vitamin C: Anti-oxidation, reduces intraocular pressure.
• Vitamin D: Helps reduce inflammation and promote tear secretion.
• Lutein: Filters blue light, reduces visual fatigue and dry eyes.

Health advice: How to supplement fish oil scientifically?

• Choose high-quality fish oil: It is recommended to choose a brand that has been third-party inspected and has low heavy metal content.
• Dosage recommendation: Based on clinical research, it is recommended that the total daily intake of EPA+DHA should be more than 1000 mg. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist for specific dosage.
• Continuous use: At least 12 weeks of continuous use will observe obvious effects.
• In combination with a healthy lifestyle: blink more often, take adequate rest, and avoid prolonged use of the eyes and dry environments.

Summarize

Fish oil (Omega-3) has clear scientific evidence for improving dry eye syndrome. It can effectively improve the quality of tear film and reduce eye discomfort. Combined with a balanced diet and good living habits, it can more comprehensively prevent and relieve dry eye symptoms. If there are severe symptoms, it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.