Purpose: To assess the effect of oral omega-3 fatty acids on tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer’s score, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) through a double-blind clinical trial.Design: Randomized, double-blind clinical trial.Participants: Sixty-four patients with dry eye symptoms between the ages of 45 and 90 years were randomized into 2 groups: 33 persons in the treatment group and 31 persons in the placebo group.Methods: The treatment group received 2 capsules of omega-3 (each containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) daily for 30 days, and the placebo group received 2 medium-chain triglyceride oil capsules daily for 1 month. The outcomes were measured 1 month after the intervention.Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was an increase from baseline in TBUT at day 30. Secondary outcome measures were a decrease from baseline in the OSDI score and an increase in the Schirmer’s score at day 30.Results: In the placebo group, before the intervention, the mean TBUT, OSDI, and Schirmer’s scores were 4.5 ± 2.1 seconds, 36.4 ± 13.8, and 6.0 ± 2.6 mm, respectively, and 1 month later were 4.7 ± 2.6 seconds, 37.6 ± 13.5, and 6.2 ± 2.5 mm, respectively. In the treatment group, these values were 3.9 ± 1.7 seconds, 38.7 ± 16.5, and 5.8 ± 2.5 mm before the intervention and 5.67 ± 2.6 seconds, 29.3 ± 15.9, and 6.8 ± 2.8 mm after the intervention, respectively. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that improvements in TBUT, OSDI, and Schirmer’s scores were significantly better in the treatment group than in the placebo group. The changes in the treatment and placebo groups were 71% and 3.3% for TBUT (P < 0.001), 26% and 4% (P=0.004) for dry eye symptoms, and 22.3% and 5.1% for Schirmer’s score (P=0.033), respectively.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that oral consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA twice daily for 30 days) is associated with a decrease in the rate of tear evaporation, an improvement in dry eye symptoms, and an increase in tear secretion.Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Author: Ophthalmology
Improving Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Clinical Trial – Corrected Proof
Purpose: To compare the efficacy of problem-solving therapy (PST) with supportive therapy (ST) to improve targeted vision function (TVF) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Design: Single-masked, attention-controlled, randomized clinical trial wi…
In Praise of Ignorance (Seriously!), Epistemology (Sort of …), and the Circle of Least Confusion
“Facts are stubborn things, whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion,” so said John Adams in his successful defense of British soldiers charged with murder in the Boston Massacre. At face value, his declaration e…
A Simple Vista en Este Número
Vinciguerra y otros (p. 908) evaluaron los resultados a 4 años del enlace cruzado de córnea (CXL) para queratocono progresivo, centrándose en los resultados según la edad. Determinaron que el CXL era efectivo para estabilizar la progresión de la e…
Contents
This Issue At A Glance
Vinciguerra 等人 (p. 908) 分析了进展性圆锥角膜患者角膜胶原交联术 (CXL) 后 4 年的随访效果, 关注的焦点在于讨论术后疗效与年龄的关系. 他们发现, CXL 对所有年龄段患者在稳定扩张性疾病进展方面均有效, 而 18-39 岁患者可以获得更好的功能及形态学结果. 该研究包括 301 名患者 400 只眼, 分为 4 个年龄组: <18 岁, 18-29 岁, 30-39 岁及 ≥40 岁. 所有年龄组患者最佳矫正视力 (BCVA) 均有显著提高. 另外, 患者均表现出等效球镜及角膜地形图参数数值的下降, 包括拟似角膜曲率 1 (Simk 1), Simk 2, 表面不对称指数 (SAI), 相对区域指数 (OSI) 及不同区域指数 (DSI), 从而进一步证实了以往的报道, CXL 可以重塑角膜形态. 研究者的观察发现, 18-39 岁患者是 CXL 的最佳疗效反应者. 这一报告将有助于眼外科医生选择合适的病人并预测圆锥角膜患者 CXL 术后的效果.
Author reply
We appreciate the interest shown by Jonna et al
in our article entitled “Cognitive Impairment in Age-related Macular Degeneration and Geographic Atrophy.” We are happy to respond to all their concerns related to our work.
Axial Length and Diabetic Retinopathy
The study presented by Man et al contributes to our understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by demonstrating, in a large clinical study, that eyes with longer axial length are less likely to have DR or diabetic macular edema. …
Erlotinib-related Corneal Melting
We read with interest the article entitled, “Ocular Adverse Events of Systemic Inhibitors of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor: Report of 5 Cases” by Saint-Jean et al. The severity of ocular toxicities of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor i…
Author reply
Arjmand et al in a recent letter to the editor emphasized the importance of various health and non–health-related factors that affect the caregiver–patient relationship. We thank Arjmand et al for their commentary; their contribution is welcome.
Author reply
We read with great interest the letter by Quigley and Brown regarding the possible mechanisms behind the reduced intravascular pressure in eyes with an elongated ocular axis. Their explanation offers an even more in-depth insight into how this reductio…
Gene Expression Profiling versus TNM Classification
We respectfully wish to draw attention to the way in which the Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) was applied by Onken et al in their validation of a multigene prognostic assay in patients with…
Cognitive Impairment in AMD
Woo et al’s study examining the close association of senile neurodegenerative diseases age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer disease concludes that individuals with AMD are at greater risk for cognitive impairment. This assertion merits …
Tuberculosis of Eyelid Presenting as a Chalazion
Inflammatory and neoplastic lesions of the eyelid may present clinically as a primary or recurrent chalazion. We present a case of isolated unilateral tuberculosis of the eyelid masquerading as a partially prolapsed chalazion, missed initially because …
Caregiver Burden in Ocular Disease
Braich et al report a correlation between the degree of visual impairment and caregiver depression, in the context of a large scale study and use of quantitative methods. They describe intensity of care, number of hours spent providing care, low househ…
Editorial Board
C-Reactive Protein Levels and Tear Function Parameters
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common condition that affects patients’ everyday functioning. In a previous study, we found that 50% of patients with severe ocular surface symptoms did not have their symptoms addressed during their eye care visit. In busy …
Author reply
We would like to thank Chow et al for sharing their interesting case report. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor plays an important role in corneal remodeling. As they mentioned, ophthalmic complications secondary to the use of EGF receptor inhibito…
Aflibercept-Related Sterile Inflammation
Within the first 3 months after approval of aflibercept (Eylea; Regeneron, Inc., Tarrytown, NY) by the US Food and Drug Administration on November 18, 2011, a cluster of injection-related sterile intraocular inflammation was reported, raising safety co…
Transiency of Fleischer’s Rings in Forme-Fruste Keratoconus
Keratoconus has characteristic biomicroscopic signs that increase in prevalence as the disease progresses. Vögt striae and Fleischer’s ring are considered pathognomonic; however, no comment has been made regarding their relative permanency. This repor…