Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements have been the rage recently, and many people opt to incorporate more of them into their diets and for good reason. 

Omega-3 is not only an essential fat for our body, but studies suggest it can help to reduce dry eye symptoms. 

At Spectrum Eye Care, we’re passionate about helping our patients access treatments and holistic care that can lead to improved health and wellness. Learn more about how we can help by booking an eye exam and reading the full blog below. 

What Are the Benefits of Omega-3 for Dry Eyes? 

There are many treatment options available to treat dry eyes and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to provide symptom relief. studies have looked at the effects that t omega-3 fatty acids have on dry eyes, and one noticeable benefit was the improvement of function in the meibomian glands. This gland plays a role in oil production in the eye, which directly impacts your tears and can help to reduce symptoms of dry eyes. 

Nonetheless, speaking with your doctor before incorporating more omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil into your diet is important. If you’re interested in supplements to support your eye health, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.

What Are Omega-3s? 

Omega-3s are a special type of fatty acid that the body needs but cannot produce on its own. Instead, the body can get these essential fats through food or supplements. Here are a few foods high in omega-3 fatty acid:

• Fish
• Nuts
• Flax seeds
• Leafy vegetables
• Chia seeds
• Soybeans

Why Do You Need Omega-3s?

These essential fats play an important role in how our body produces hormones and regulates blood clotting, contraction and relaxation of artery walls, and inflammation. As a result, omega-3s have been proven to prevent serious conditions like strokes and heart disease. 

Omega-3 Supplements 

Omega-3 supplements have grown in popularity and can be an effective way of getting essential nutrients. According to the NIH, omega-3 supplements can benefit things like rheumatoid arthritis and age-related macular degeneration with minimal side effects. 

If you want to try omega-3s for dry eyes, it should be noted that the supplements you buy off the shelf may not produce the results that you want. Incorporating more fish and leafy vegetables, paired with your optometrist’s recommendations, is typically the best combination. 

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye disease is a common condition in which your eyes do not produce enough or produce low-quality tears that evaporate too quickly. The surface of your eye is covered in a thin film that helps to keep the eye lubricated. In some cases, the film can dry, exposing the nerves of the cornea and leading to irritation when blinking.    

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eyes can occur for various reasons, and many Canadians may experience it at one point in their life. Here are a few common reasons you might have dry eyes:

• Environmental conditions, like excessive  air conditioning or heating, dusty dry environments 
• Excessive screen exposure
• A side effect of medications 
• Aging 
• Systemic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and autoimmune disorders 

Dry Eye Symptoms 

Dry eye signs can appear in many different ways, and it is best to seek professional advice if you have any issues with your vision and eyes. Here are a few of the more common symptoms experienced:

• Stinging or burning sensation in your eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light 
• Mucus in or around your eyes 
• Watery eyes
• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• Feeling like something is in your eyes, gritty sensation  
• Redness
• Difficulty wearing contacts 

If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms, contact your eye care provider to learn about your options for treatment. 

Treatment Options for Dry Eyes

Many treatment options exist to help reduce dry eye symptoms and lead to healthier eyes. Here are several treatment options available:

Artificial Tears 

Artificial tears are over-the-counter eye drops that can lubricate your eyes and may help reduce irritation felt from dry eye symptoms. 

Lifestyle Changes 

Sometimes lifestyle changes like drinking more water, avoiding smoky areas, and using a humidifier can help to reduce the risk of dry eye or the symptoms that come with it. 

Prescriptions Medications 

In more serious cases, your doctor may recommend prescription medications or eye drops to help combat the condition.

TempSure Envi 

The TempSure Envi technology uses therapeutic heat applied to the eyelids to unclog  the meibomian glands. This treatment allows the meibomian glands to function more effectively and produce better quality oils that in turn keeps the eyes lubricated.  Get Support from a Trusted Team

If you are experiencing any eye-related symptoms or want to learn more about our treatment options, visit us at Spectrum Eye Care. Our team can work with you to develop a treatment plan to help you find lasting relief. 

Do you notice eye dryness, irritation, and discomfort, either when you’re indoors or outdoors? These symptoms may be from multiple factors affecting your eye’s ability to produce tears or an eye condition called dry eye. 

When you visit your eye doctor for an eye exam, depending on the cause, they will determine a treatment plan based on your individual needs. Let’s talk about everything related to dry eye.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly because of an imbalance in the tear film, which has 3 layers:

1. The outer oil layer keeps the eye’s surface smooth and prevents tears from evaporating.
2. The middle water or aqueous layer protects the eye and keeps it hydrated.
3. The inner mucous layer helps tear film stick to the eye’s surface. 

Without sufficient tears or quality tears, the eyes don’t receive enough lubrication or moisture, leading to dryness, irritation, and sometimes complications.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Symptoms of dry eye can be mild or severe and can include the following: 

• Stinging or burning
• Scratchy or gritty sensation in your eyes
• Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Eye redness
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Difficulty with nighttime driving
• Watery eyes or reflex tearing
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue

Multiple Causes of Dry Eye

Multiple causes of dry eye can affect the production of tears or increase the evaporation of tears. These include:

• Age: As we get older, our eyes naturally produce fewer tears.
• Medical conditions: Dry eyes can be a symptom of certain medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as antihistamines, birth control pills, and antidepressants, can cause dry eye as a side effect.
• Gender: Hormonal changes in women during pregnancy or menopause can lead to dry eye.
• Environmental factors: Dry, windy, or smoky environments can cause dry eye. Prolonged use of the computer or other digital screens can also cause dry eye because you blink less often.
• Lifestyle habits: Contact lens wearers, people low in omega-3 fatty acids, have a vitamin A deficiency or have had refractive eye surgery. 
• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): The oil-producing glands in the eyelids become clogged, leading to an altered tear film composition. 

Diagnosing & Treating Dry Eye

During an eye exam, your eye doctor can diagnose meibomian gland dysfunction using Meibox imaging technology. It can capture high-definition images of the tiny oil-producing glands in your eyelids using infrared light. Early detection of the underlying cause of dry eyes allows for prompt treatment and relief of symptoms. 

Based on the severity of your dry eye, your eye doctor can recommend one or more therapies to relieve dry eye symptoms and treat the underlying cause. Common treatments for dry eye can include:

Artificial Tears

Over-the-counter preservative artificial tears can provide temporary relief of dry eye symptoms. They come in various forms, such as drops and ointments. 

Prescription Medication

If over-the-counter artificial tears don’t provide enough relief, prescription medication with ingredients such as cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra) helps to increase tear production.

Heat Mask

For mild cases of MGD, a specialized iMED microbead heat mask, compared to a warm compress, can deliver heat more evenly and effectively to unblock the oil-producing glands in the eyelids and improve tear production.

Lifestyle Changes

Changes in lifestyle to protect your eyes and prevent dry eyes can include:

• Avoid dry, windy, or smoky environments.
• Take regular breaks when working on a computer or other digital screens.
• Getting special contact lenses for dry eyes. 

Omega-3 Supplements

Omega-3 oil supplementation is beneficial in reducing dry eye symptoms. Speak to your eye doctor first before taking any supplements, 

Radiofrequency for Dry Eye

Radiofrequency or heat technology can treat all stages of MGD. The Tempsure envi is a non-invasive treatment therapy that can deliver gentle heat much deeper to unclog meibomian glands by melting the clogged oils. 

For maximum benefits and more relief, 3 treatment sessions are recommended, with sessions taking about 15 minutes per eye. In severe cases of dry eyes caused by MGD, you can control symptoms by having annual maintenance sessions. 

Much-Needed Dry Eye Relief

You don’t have to live with the discomfort of dry eyes. When you consult the eye doctors at Spectrum Eye Care, we can diagnose the cause of your dry eyes and provide options for relief. 

Sometimes, a combination of treatments may be necessary to manage your dry eye symptoms. Don’t let itchy, dry, irritated eyes come between you and life. Schedule an appointment today.