William Faulkner, M.D., a cornea specialist and dry eye expert, recently wrote an article in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology about the nutritional therapy of Omega-3 essential fatty acids in helping dry eye disease.
Two-thirds of the eye’s focusing power originates on the ocular surface. A smooth and clear cornea with a normal tear film is taken for granted by most everyone with normal vision. When a dryness problem occurs, tiny irregularities on the surface indicate cellular damage.
“The patient may perceive scratchy, sore, burning or irritated eyes but also fluctuating or blurred vision, like looking thru a golf ball instead of a billiard ball,” said Dr. Faulkner. “It is our job to diagnose and treat this problem to avoid further deterioration and serious damage.”
Dr. Faulkner’s article points to data that shows diets supplemented with high quality Omega-3 essential fatty acids (re-esterified triglyceride), in the proper dosage, is a starting point for treating dry eye disease.