Dry Eye Syndrome

[R.B.]

Here is a trial that suggests that fat intake is implicated in dry eye syndrome.

More omega threes help it seems to suggest.

RB

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/82/4/887

Relation between dietary n–3 and n–6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women1,2,3
Biljana Miljanovic, Komal A Trivedi, M Reza Dana, Jeffery P Gilbard, Julie E Buring and Debra A Schaumberg

1 From the Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA (BM, JEB, and DAS); the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA (KAT, MRD, JPG, and DAS); the Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MRD, JPG, DAS) and the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention (JEB), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and the Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (JEB and DAS)

Background: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a prevalent condition, but information on risk or protective factors is lacking.

Objective: We aimed to determine the association between the dietary intake and ratio of n–3 and n–6 fatty acids (FAs) and DES occurrence.

Design: Of the 39876 female health professionals in the Women’s Health Study (WHS), 32470 women aged 45–84 y who provided information on diet and DES were cross-sectionally studied. We assessed FA intakes by using a validated food-frequency questionnaire and assessed DES by using self-reports of clinically diagnosed cases. Of the sample, 1546 (4.7%) subjects reported DES. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs to describe the relation of FA intake with DES.

Results: After adjustment for demographic factors, hormone therapy, and total fat intake, the OR for the highest versus the lowest quintile of n–3 FAs was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.98; P for trend = 0.05). A higher ratio of n–6 to n–3 FA consumption was associated with a significantly increased risk of DES (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.13, 5.58) for >15:1 versus <4:1 (P for trend = 0.01). In addition, tuna consumption [1 serving was 113 g (4 oz)] was inversely associated with DES (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.99 for 2–4 servings/wk; OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.79 for 5–6 servings/wk versus ≤1 serving/wk; P for trend = 0.005).

Conclusions: These results suggest that a higher dietary intake of n–3 FAs is associated with a decreased incidence of DES in women. These findings are consistent with anecdotal clinical observations and postulated biological mechanisms.

Key Words: Epidemiology • dry eye syndrome • diet • n–3 fatty acids • n–6 fatty acids • risk factors • women

dry eye syndrome deceases affected the inner part of the eye.eyes color is red in this decease or Irritation in the eyes.
dry eye syndrome

[karen z]

Thanks for the post.

[Laurel]

RB, I take Super EPA fish oil, olive & coconut oil as well twice daily. I have wicked dry eyes which have become a bother since taking Femara. I had Lasik over a dozen years ago with little eye dryness, but now in my depleted estrogen condition, my eyes require gel drops and ointment at night. Sigh....growing old is not for the faint of heart, but sure beats the alternative!

[michka]

I had this for the first time when on Navelbine. Maybe all the anti estrogens I took and the previous treatments had already impacted me. It got better when I got off Navelbine. But since I am have TDM1, right from the first infusion, my eyes are very dry (and so is my mouth). I have to get up at night to put drops in my eyes because they hurt and get stuck. I take almost no omega 6 in my diet because I try to rest my liver but I take omega 3 supplements. So I'll change nothing and just sigh with Laurel....Michka

[R.B.]

There is very little info on this, but iodine appears important in tissues that connect us with the outside world, which express or use protective fluids, gut, salivary glands, reproductive tissue etc.

For a host of reasons today many people are short of iodine.

I have started an iodine thread in the nutrition section.



http://iodine4health.com/ortho/flechas_ortho.htm

"Iodine is concentrated in the lacrymal glands of the eye, and a lack of iodine can cause dry eyes. Iodine can also be concentrated in the parotid and submandibular glands of the mouth, and iodine deficiency here can result in dry mouth."