Sea Buckthorn Oil Fights Dry Eyes

TURKU, FinlandSea buckthorn oil, a rich source of essential fatty acids (EFAs), may ease symptoms of dry eye syndrome (J Nutr. ePub June 16, 2010. DOI:10.3945/jn.109.118901). Researchers from the University of Turku recruited 20- to 75-year-old adults suffering dry eye symptoms (n=100, 86 completed the trial) for the double blind, randomized, parallel study. Subjects received 2 g/d of oral sea buckthorn oil or placebo daily for three months, from fall into winter, a common season for dry eye symptoms. Researchers conducted clinical dry eye tests, including assessing the osmolarity of tears; hyperosmolarity refers to a higher concentration of small proteins and electrolytes, which causes ocular discomfort and inflammation.

At the end of the study period, while there was an increase in tear film osmolarity in all subjects, it was significantly less in the adults receiving sea buckthorn oil, particularly among participants who consumed the study products for at least 80 percent of the intervention days. Also, the subjects taking sea buckthorn oil had lower max levels of redness and burning. The group difference was significant for redness in the intention-to-treat patients, and was significant for burning in the per protocol subjects.