Abstract
Purpose: :
Some studies have suggested that the intake of omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids may improve dry eye syndrome. This study was designed to assess whether the oral supplementation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can reduce inflammatory markers in the conjunctiva of dry eye patients.
Methods: :
138 patients presenting mild to moderate dry eye were included in a 3-month, multicenter, double-masked, randomized, controlled clinical study. They were assigned to either placebo capsules (medium chain triglycerides) or capsules containing omega-3 fatty acids (855mg), omega-6 fatty acids (15mg), vitamins (C, E, B6, B12) and zinc. Impression cytology was performed on the worst eye at inclusion and at Month 3 to assess the rate of positive cells expressing HLA-DR inflammatory marker and their fluorescence intensity. Other assessments included a composite score for ocular dry eye symptoms and objective signs.
Results: :
121 subjects had available impression cytology and 106 were compliant with the protocol. Both populations were analyzed. The reduction of the percentage of HLA-DR positive cells was more important in the supplemented group of the 106 subjects (p=0.021). Furthermore, the reduction of the fluorescence intensity was also greater in the supplemented group of the 106 subjects (p=0.017) and of the 121 subjects (p=0.041). For symptoms and signs, there was a better but not significant improvement of burning, dryness and stinging and of the lissamine and corneal fluorescein stainings in the supplemented group.
Conclusions: :
This study suggests that a supplementation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in dry eye patients reduces the HLA-DR conjunctival inflammatory markers. No significant difference was found for the signs and symptoms but there was a consistent trend for a better improvement in the supplemented group.
Clinical Trial: :
www.ISRCTN.org 17233445
Keywords: conjunctiva • inflammation • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials