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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffSome preliminary research has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids could help relieve dry eyes symptoms. These fatty acids, found in fish and vegetable oils, are thought to reduce inflammation in the body. In theory, increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet could reduce eye inflammation. More study is needed to prove this theory. But if you're interested in trying omega-3 fatty acids, discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
Omega-3 fatty acids are available in foods and in supplements. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can cause a fishy aftertaste and upset stomach. Instead, try adding foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, such as:
- Canola oil
- Soybean oil
- Flaxseed oil
- Ground flaxseed
- Walnuts
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Mackerel
- Sardines
- Eggs from chickens fed with feed rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Tu EY, et al. Dry eye. In: Yanoff M, et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199400089-5/0/1869/0.html. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Dry-eye syndrome. In: Ehlers JP, et al. The Wills Eye Manual: Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&NEWS=N&PAGE=booktext&D=books&AN=01337416/5th_Edition/3&XPATH=/OVIDBOOK%5b1%5d/METADATA%5b1%5d/TBY%5b1%5d/EDITORS%5b1%5d. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Facts about dry eye. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye.asp. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Dry eye syndrome. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/asset.axd?id=be593214-34af-4073-ab93-2bccbdf62aae. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Care of the patient with ocular surface disorders. St. Louis, Mo.: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-10.pdf. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Lacrisert (prescribing information). Lawrenceville, N.J.: Acton Pharma Inc; 2007. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/018771s017lbl.pdf. Accessed May 11, 2010.
- Cakiner-Egilmez TT. Omega 3 fatty acids and the eye. Insight. 2008;33:20.
- Heart-healthy eating: Omega-3 fatty acids. ADA Nutrition Care Manual. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/index.cfm. Accessed May 13, 2010.
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