Highlights
- •Schirmer's test was abnormal in 33% symptomatic computer users at baseline.
- •Tear film break up time was abnormal in 55% symptomatic computer users at baseline.
- •Dry eye symptoms scores improve after dietary intervention with omega 3 fatty acids for 3 months.
- •Omega 3 fatty acids decrease tear evaporation rates.
- •Conjunctival goblet cell density increases after omega 3 fatty acid treatment.
Abstract
Purpose
To assess the efficacy of dietary consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) on dry
eye symptoms, Schirmer test, tear film break up time (TBUT) and conjunctival impression
cytology (CIC) in patients with computer vision syndrome.
Setting and design
Interventional, randomized, double blind, multi-centric study.
Methods
Four hundred and seventy eight symptomatic patients using computers for more than
3 h per day for minimum 1 year were randomized into two groups: 220 patients received
two capsules of omega-3 fatty acids each containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) daily (O3FA group) and 236 patients received two capsules
of a placebo containing olive oil daily for 3 months (placebo group). The primary
outcome measure was improvement in dry eye symptoms and secondary outcome measures
were improvement in Nelson grade and an increase in Schirmer and TBUT scores at 3
months.
Results
In the placebo group, before dietary intervention, the mean symptom score, Schirmer,
TBUT and CIC scores were 7.5 ± 2, 19.9 ± 4.7 mm, 11.5 ± 2 s and 1 ± 0.9 respectively, and 3 months later were 6.8 ± 2.2, 20.5 ± 4.7 mm, 12 ± 2.2 s and 0.9 ± 0.9 respectively. In the O3FA group, these values were 8.0 ± 2.6, 20.1 ± 4.2 mm, 11.7 ± 1.6 s and 1.2 ± 0.8 before dietary intervention and 3.9 ± 2.2, 21.4 ± 4 mm, 15 ± 1.7 s, 0.5 ± 0.6 after 3 months of intervention, respectively.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of orally administered O3FAs in alleviating
dry eye symptoms, decreasing tear evaporation rate and improving Nelson grade in patients
suffering from computer vision syndrome related dry eye.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 16, 2015
Accepted:
January 26,
2015
Received in revised form:
December 3,
2014
Received:
May 5,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
