Focus on Eye Health

Dietary Fat Intake Linked to Dry Eye Syndrome in Women
This story has been adapted from Science Daily; 24 October 2005
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 82, No. 4, 887-893, October 2005

According to research it is believed that women predominantly suffer from dry eye syndrome, a painful and debilitating eye disease. Said to be a-first-of-its-kind study researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Schepens Eye Research Institute (SERI) both in Boston, Massachusetts found that it is feasible the amount, type and ratio of essential fatty acids in the diet play a key role in dry eye prevention in women. The study is published in the October 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and studied the dietary habits of more than 37,000 women.

According to the article, the study set out to examine how changing dietary habits mainly the consumption of essential fatty acids may be associated with onset of dry eye syndrome. It was found that a high intake of omega 3 fatty acid also known as ‘good’ fats (found in oily fish such as tuna) has preventative effects. On the contrary, a higher ratio of omega 6 compared to omega 3 in the diet, “may increase the risk of dry eye syndrome”, said study researchers.

Dry-eye occurs when there is insufficient lubrication in the eye, and the conjunctiva becomes much less moist than normal (www.healthscout.com). Symptoms commonly experienced by sufferers are pain, irritation, dryness, and/or a sandy or gritty sensation. Researchers of the study believe “if untreated, severe dry eye syndrome can eventually lead to scarring or ulceration of the cornea, and loss of vision. Victims can experience symptoms so constant and severe that reading, driving, working and participating in other vision-related activities of daily life are difficult or impossible”.

The article cites specific findings from the study which are as follows:

• Women with the highest levels of omega 3 in their diets reduced their risk of dry eye syndrome by 20 percent compared to women with the lowest levels of this fat in their diet.
• A dietary ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 greater than 15:1 was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of dry eye syndrome in women. Currently, the average American diet consists of a similarly high ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids.
• Tuna consumption reduced the risk of dry eye syndrome. Women who reported eating at least five servings of tuna per week had a 68 percent reduced risk of dry eye syndrome compared to women who consumed one serving per week.
• Other fish types that have lower levels of omega 3 fatty acids did not appear to protect against dry eye syndrome.

NOTE: To read the full article click the Science Daily link and to download the complete study click the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition link, above.