Many people try to treat dry eye symptoms by consuming fish oil, either as a supplement or by eating fatty fish. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which research has shown to have general health benefits. However, to determine if omega-3 can help treat dry eyes specifically, more research is needed.
There is some evidence that fish oil may be of benefit in managing dry eyes. People can take fish oil as a supplement, either in capsule form or as a liquid. People can also get fish oil by eating fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, and tuna.
In this article, we look at whether fatty fish is an effective and safe treatment for dry eyes, as well as the recommended dosages.
How can fish oil help dry eyes?
A Fish oil supplement contains omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, DHA is important for proper brain and eye function. Researchers are still investigating whether omega-3 fatty acids can help treat conditions that affect the brain and eyes.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), omega-3 oils can improve the function of the meibomian glands. The meibomian glands produce the fatty layer in tears.
Problems with the oily layer of tears can cause dry eyes, as the oily layer prevents the water layer of tears from evaporating, which keeps your eyes hydrated.
The AAO also indicates that the omega-3s in fish oil can reduce inflammation. Inflammation of the eyelids or the surface of the eye can make dry eye worse, so fish oil can improve symptoms.
The best fish oil for dry eyes
People can take fish oil as a supplement, either in capsule form or as a liquid.
People can also consume fish oil by eating fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as:
- Salmon
- sardines
- herring
- albacore tuna
- mackerel
- lake trout
- fish oil vs. linseed oil
Flaxseed oil also contains an omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Flaxseed oil only contains ALA, not EPA or DHA. The liver converts ALA into EPA and DHA.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the body can only convert ALA to about 15 percent of EPA and DHA. The NIH says that consuming EPA and DHA from dietary sources or supplements is the only way to increase fatty acid levels in the body.
If people do not want to consume any fish products, they may choose to take an omega-3 supplement derived from algae. According to the NIH, algal oil provides approximately 100 to 300 milligrams (mg) of DHA, and may also contain some EPA. Algal oil can provide the body with a similar amount of DHA as eating cooked salmon.
Benefits of fish oil
A 2016 study looked at the effects of EPA and DHA on dry eyes in 105 people over the course of 12 weeks. The study found that EPA and DHA supplements had a significant improvement in dry eye symptoms compared to a linoleic acid placebo.
Other research mentioned in the study also suggests that the omega-3s in fish may help relieve dry eyes. In a study of 32,470 women, researchers found that women who ate 5 to 6 servings of tuna a week had a 66 percent reduction in dry eye disease than women who only ate 2 servings a week. week or less.
According to the AAO, omega-3s may also help reduce the risks of abnormal blood vessel growth, which occurs in retinal conditions such as age-related macular degeneration.
However, a 2018 NIH study found that omega-3 supplements were no more effective than placebo in treating symptoms of chronic dry eyes. The study included 535 participants who had experienced moderate to severe dry eyes for at least 6 months.
In the omega-3 group, 349 participants received 2,000 mg
of PA and 1,000 mg of DHA. According to the study, this dose was the highest that researchers have ever used in a trial to treat dry eye disease. In the placebo group, 186 people received olive oil in capsules identical to those of omega-3.
The study found that there was no significant difference in the improvement of dry eye symptoms between the two groups.
Fish oil may pose some risks for certain people.
If people take warfarin or another blood-thinning medication, they will need to check with a doctor before taking omega-3 supplements. This is because fish oil can interact with these medications and can affect clotting.
Children and anyone who is pregnant, nursing, or chest feeding (people who breastfeed their baby, but do not identify as female), may also need to check with a doctor before taking fish oil or eating certain types of fish. This is because certain fish contain high levels of mercury.
