Abstract
Purpose:
To investigate the relationship between ocular surface measures commonly used for grading the severity of dry eyes and HS-Omega-3 Index in healthy middle-aged adults.
Methods:
Forty-one male and female subjects aged 43-50 yrs were included in the study. Subjects were healthy with no known ocular abnormalities. The ocular surface was evaluated by measuring tearfilm osmolarity (TearLab Co., San Diego, USA), tearfilm stability [fluorescein break-up-time (FBUT) (BioGlo™ 1.0 mg of Fluroscein Sodium)], ocular surface damage [Oxford Schema and Lissamine Green (Lissamine green strips, GreenGlo™1.5 mg)]. Each individual was also asked to answer two standard dry eye questionnaires, Ocular surface dry eye index (OSDI©) and McMonnies (Gothwal, Pesudovs et al. 2010). The HS-Omega-3 fatty acid index was quantified by measuring the amount of EPA and DHA in whole blood (dried blood spot) with a test from OmegaQuant Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. (Sioux Falls, SD, USA). A drop of blood (finger prick) was collected on anti-oxidant treated filter. Results were analyzed and reported by the manufacturer.
Results:
Average measures ±SD were as follows: osmolarity 308.4 ±7.2, FBUT 10 ±5 ms, ocular surface damage grade 1.5 ±1.7, OSDI score 20.7 ±12.4 and McMonnies score 8.1 ±3.5). Seventeen were classified with mild and eight with moderate degree of dry eyes. Ocular surface damage correlated with tearfilm osmolarity (Pearsons r = 0.4, p < 0.05). Average HS-Omega-3 index was 7.6±1.9. There was no correlation between any of the individual ocular surface measures and HS-Omega-3 index.
Conclusions:
Previous studies have suggested that omega-3 dietary supplement may have a positive effect on dry eyes (Roncone, et al., CLAE 2010:33: 49-54). This is the first study, to our knowledge, that has measured healthy individuals’ actual omega-3 status in conjunction with ocular surface measures to evaluate the severity of dry eyes. The results suggest that omega-3 status may have no effect on dry eyes.
Keywords: 486 cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye •
618 nutritional factors