Purpose : The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of omega -3 fatty acid supplements in the treatment of dry eye/ ocular surface disease.

Method : Randomized double blind study was conducted. The treatment group received 2 capsules of omega-3 (each containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) daily for 30 days, and the placebo group received 2 medium-chain olive oil capsules daily for 1 month. The outcomes were measured 1 month after the intervention.

Result : In the placebo group, before the intervention, the mean TBUT, OSDI, and Schirmer’s scores were 4.5 ± 2.1 seconds, 36.4 ± 13.8, and 6.0 ± 2.6 mm, respectively, and 1 month later were 4.7 ± 2.6 seconds, 37.6 ± 13.5, and 6.2 ± 2.5 mm, respectively. In the treatment group, these values were 3.9 ± 1.7 seconds, 38.7 ± 16.5, and 5.8 ± 2.5 mm before the intervention and 5.67 ± 2.6 seconds, 29.3 ± 15.9, and 6.8 ± 2.8 mm after the intervention, respectively. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that improvements in TBUT, OSDI, and Schirmer’s scores were significantly better in the treatment group than in the placebo group. The changes in the treatment and placebo groups were 71% and 3.3% for TBUT (P < 0.001), 26% and 4% (P=0.004) for dry eye symptoms, and 22.3% and 5.1% for Schirmer’s score (P=0.033), respectively.

Conclusion :  This study demonstrated the beneficial effect of orally administrated Omega-3 fatty acid in relieving the symptoms of dry eyes/ ocular surface disease.

DR.SHABBIR SAIFUDDIN has over 25 years of experience in clinical ophthalmology and published over 32 papers in regional and international journals. He has presented over 24 papers at international conferences.

He is a member of Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society ( TFOS ),  European Dry Eys Society ( EuDES ), International Society of Dacryology and Dry Eye Society ( ISD-DE ) and many other Ophthalmological Societies.