More benefits of Omega-3 essential fatty acids

As discussed in the previous blog, it is believed that Omega-3 essential fatty acids help with dry eye symptoms. I personally have witnessed this with some of my dry eye patients and believe it to be true in certain cases. So the question many people ask - do I take them or not?

A recent article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology lists some of the documented benefits of Omega-3's. Among them are decreased triglycerides, lower resting heart rate and lowered blood pressure. A prospective study showed that the benefits are most consistent for Coronary Heart Disease Mortality and Sudden Cardiac Death.

I recommend to most of my patients that they take Omega-3 supplements. Nearly everyone will benefit from them. Those that should use caution are people with diabetes and anyone taking blood thinners or those with bleeding problems. As with all supplements consult your physician before beginning to take them. My book has an extensive discussion regarding Omega-3's.

Omega-3 Essential Fatty acids and Dry Eye

Over the last couple of years there has been much discussion, as well as some disagreement, about the role of Omega-3 intake and dry eye. It is currently believed by most dry eye experts that a full days supply of Omega-3's can increase tear production and decrease dry eye. In my book I discuss this at length as well as the amount and types of Omega-3's to take.

In a recent issue of  Cornea: The Journal of Cornea and External Disease a study was presented that investigated this. The result of the study by Wojtowicz JC, Butovich I, et al. showed that after a 90 day trial, 70% of dry eye patients taking oral Omega-3 supplements had improvement in their dry eye symptoms. They also showed an increased tear volume in their eyes as measured by several clinical tests.

As with all supplements you should consult your physician before taking them, however Omega-3's are believed to help with dry eye as well as having many other health benefits.

More on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

The importance of the meibomian glands in dry eye has only been recognized in the last few years. A group of worldwide dry eye experts spent over two years evaluating the meibomian glands (see the next blog posting for more information) and their role in the health and disease of the eye. The results of the International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction were released earlier this year. They concluded that Meibomian Gland Disease (MGD) is an extremely important condition and very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease.

The workshop has helped to advance our understanding of the causes of dry eye and the best types of treatment. If you suffer from dry, irritated eyes it is critical to see a qualified eye doctor to determine if you have this condition. Artificial tears and other traditional dry eye treatment do not address the meibomian glands. If MGD is the cause of your dry eye, they will not provide the relief you seek and your condition will likely continue to worsen with time.

Typical Dry Eye Patient

So what is a typical dry eye patient like? Most patients say their eyes feel tired, scratchy, irritated or tired. Most do not say they feel dry. The tear film serves as a protective layer for the cornea. An irregular tear film allows the cornea to be exposed causing these various symptoms.

Some say their vision is poor or fluctuates throughout the day. These fluctuations are directly related to dry eye. The tear layer on the eye is the front focusing (refracting) surface, if it is irregular or incomplete it will impact vision.

The following is a picture of an eye with a very irregular tear film:

This is a view from the microscope (called a slit lamp) of a patient with dry eye. The yellowish appearance comes from flourescein dye doctors put in the eye to visualize the tear film. Notice that the lower half is not a smooth color. It has dark spots and lines which are areas where the tears are breaking apart.

After blinking a normal eye should be smoothly and uniformly covered with tears for about ten seconds. With a dye in the eye it would appear as a smooth yellow tear layer. This is a dry eye patient about 2-3 seconds after they blink. Almost immediately the protective tear layer is breaking apart, exposing the corneal surface and degrading the quality of vision. This test performed by your eye doctor is called a Tear Break Up Time, or TBUT test. A normal score is 10 seconds or more. Less than 10 seconds and you could start having some dry eye problems.

Dry eye treatment is primarily focused on increasing the quality of tears and the amount of time they stay on the cornea. For information on dry eye treatment please visit dryeyeknowledge.com.

Dry Eye and Dr Millers mission statment

This is the first post of what will hopefully be many. I will be discussing all things related to dry eye. Here is my simple mission statement:

Provide clear and concise Knowledge, empowering patients to

 find the correct Treatments they need to achieve the dry

 eye Relief they seek.

I hope you visit often. A full list of dry eye treatment is available at dryeyeknowledge.com