Potential ocular health benefit of short-term omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on the ocular tear film: An observational study

Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and, as a result, decrease the production of inflammatory mediators. The study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the tear film. Fifty subjects aged 18 to 27 years were recruited. All subjects received 2 soft gels of molecularly distilled omega-3 fatty acids for 3 consecutive days. A control age-matched group of 50 subjects was included for comparison. The standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) questionnaire was completed, followed by the noninvasive tear breakup time (NITBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), and tear ferning (TF) tests. The first measurements were taken before the supplement was consumed, and the second measurements were taken 24 hours after the third dose of omega-3 fatty acids was administered. The control group subjects did not get omega-3, with measurements on days 1 and 4. Significant (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) differences were found in the median scores of the SPEED (P <.001), NITBUT (P <.001), and TF (P = .040) before and after the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. However, consuming omega-3 fatty acids showed no significant difference in TMH score. For the control group, no significant differences were observed in the SPEED (P = .093), NITBUT (P = .149), TMH (P = .831), and TF (P = .567) scores between days 1 and 4. The oral consumption of omega-3 fatty acids over 3 consecutive days significantly improved the comfort, stability, and quality of the ocular tear film. However, no significant change was observed in tear volume after the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. Further research is still necessary to verify the general applicability of the findings and to address the existing limitations.