According to a new meta-analysis, omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation significantly improves signs and symptoms in patients with dry eye disease.
Researchers conducted a search across electronic databases and identified 17 randomised clinical trials (n=3363) comparing omega-3 FA supplementation vs placebo in patients with dry eye disease. Dry eye symptoms, breakup time (BUT), Schirmer test and corneal fluorescein staining were compared between the two groups.
Pooled results of all trials showed that omega-3 FA supplementation reduced dry eye symptoms (standardised difference in mean values [SDM], 0.968; P<.001) and corneal fluorescein staining (SDM, 0.517; P=.032) vs placebo. Compared with placebo, omega-3 FA supplementation increased BUT (SDM, 0.905; P<.001) and Schirmer test values (SDM, 0.905; P<.001).
This meta-analysis is published in the journalCornea.
