Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Patients could benefit from the use of omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome. Randomized-control trial evidence demonstrates improvements in dry eye symptoms, tear production and tear consistency. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids can be easily supplemented with a variety of secondary health benefits and few risks. Fatty acid supplements have a benign side effect profile, making the results more encouraging for patients. Such data indicates omega-3 fatty acid supplements could be tried in patients with dry eye syndrome refractory to first line ocular therapies, those who want adjunctive benefits or those who do not wish to use ocular products. This is most appropriate in mild or moderate dry eye syndrome.
References:
1. Kangari H, Eftekhari MH, Sardari S, Hashemi H, Salamzadeh J, Ghassemi-Broumand M, Khabazkhoob M. Short-term consumption of oral omega-3 and dry eye syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2013 Nov;120(11):2191-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.04.006. Epub 2013 May 1.2)
2.Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Chapter 8: Introduction to sources of bias in clinical trials. Version 5.1. The Cochrane Collaboration. Updated March 2011. Accessed March 15, 2014. http://handbook.cochrane.org/chapter_8/8_4_introduction_to_sources_of_bias_in_clinical_trials.htm
3. Critical Appraisal 101: Randomized Control Trials. Canadian Association of Drugs and Technologies in Health Critical Appraisal 101 Workshops. 2012. http://training.mdambulance.com/moodle/file.php/1/spring13/pdf/RCTGuideCriticalAppraisal.pdf
4. Roncone M, Bartlett H, Eperjesi F. Essential fatty acids for dry eye: A review. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2010 Apr;33(2):49-54; quiz 100. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2009.11.002. Epub 2009 Dec 23.
5. Critical Appraisal of Research Evidence 101. Ontario Public Health Libraries Association. 2008. Accessed March 17, 2014. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/caore.pdf
Patients could benefit from the use of omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome. Randomized-control trial evidence demonstrates improvements in dry eye symptoms, tear production and tear consistency. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids can be easily supplemented with a variety of secondary health benefits and few risks. Fatty acid supplements have a benign side effect profile, making the results more encouraging for patients. Such data indicates omega-3 fatty acid supplements could be tried in patients with dry eye syndrome refractory to first line ocular therapies, those who want adjunctive benefits or those who do not wish to use ocular products. This is most appropriate in mild or moderate dry eye syndrome.
References:
1. Kangari H, Eftekhari MH, Sardari S, Hashemi H, Salamzadeh J, Ghassemi-Broumand M, Khabazkhoob M. Short-term consumption of oral omega-3 and dry eye syndrome. Ophthalmology. 2013 Nov;120(11):2191-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.04.006. Epub 2013 May 1.2)
2.Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Chapter 8: Introduction to sources of bias in clinical trials. Version 5.1. The Cochrane Collaboration. Updated March 2011. Accessed March 15, 2014. http://handbook.cochrane.org/chapter_8/8_4_introduction_to_sources_of_bias_in_clinical_trials.htm
3. Critical Appraisal 101: Randomized Control Trials. Canadian Association of Drugs and Technologies in Health Critical Appraisal 101 Workshops. 2012. http://training.mdambulance.com/moodle/file.php/1/spring13/pdf/RCTGuideCriticalAppraisal.pdf
4. Roncone M, Bartlett H, Eperjesi F. Essential fatty acids for dry eye: A review. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2010 Apr;33(2):49-54; quiz 100. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2009.11.002. Epub 2009 Dec 23.
5. Critical Appraisal of Research Evidence 101. Ontario Public Health Libraries Association. 2008. Accessed March 17, 2014. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/caore.pdf