Higher Omega-3 Intake May Prevent Dry Eye Syndrome

Higher Omega-3 Intake May Prevent Dry Eye Syndrome

BOSTON--Increased dietary intakeof omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) may be associated with a decreased riskof developing dry eye syndrome, according to a new study in the AmericanJournal of Clinical Nutrition (82,4:887-93, 2005). In the cross-sectional study, researchers examined data frommore than 32,000 women aged 45 to 84 participating in the Women's Health Study,assessing fatty acid intakes using a food-frequency questionnaire. Afteradjustment for demographic factors, hormone therapy and total fat intake, theresearchers found a 17 percent reduced risk of dry eye syndrome for the highestversus the lowest quintile of omega-3 EFA intake. Higher ratios of omega-6 toomega-3 consumption significantly increased the risk of dry eye syndrome, whilehigher consumption of tuna reduced the risk.