Nutraceuticals, Supplements & Vitamins - Michigan Optometric ...

Omega 3 Fatty Acids
• Sjogren's patients tend to have lower dietary levels
of omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA & DHA than
matched controls
• Optimum ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 ratio for good
health typically is 1:4
• Severity of dry eye in Sjogren's syndrome is inversely
proportional to membrane and serum levels of DHA
• Omega 3 fatty acids affect the lipid profiles of
meibomian gland secretions in Sjogren’s patients
Dry Eye Syndrome
Gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) may be beneficial in
Sjogren’s syndrome
Diets with proper levels of Vitamins A, B6, C;
potassium; zinc also important for normal tear film
function
Potassium – improves tear film osmolarity (TheraTears
artificial tear formulation)
Albumin – ocular surface disorders with tear deficiency
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
• Omega-3 fatty acids help suppress meibomianitis,
decrease apoptosis, improve neural signal
transduction, stimulate tear production, augment
the tear film oily layer and have anti-inflammatory
properties
• Increased essential fatty acids, particularly omega 3
stimulates tear production and rebalances tear film
physiology
• May also benefit acne rosacea patients with
associated dry eye syndrome
Contact Lens Related Infections
• Contact lens biofilms may be associated with low
levels of tear lactoferrin
• Hydroxyl radicals, a by-product of oxidative stress
superoxide and H2O2 catalyzed by free iron, may
exacerbate damage to cornea
• Adequate levels of iron-binding tear lactoferrin is
suggested to lower corneal opportunistic risks for
related infections.
• Site-specific lactoferrin proteins are also
produced and immediately released by neutrophils,
the first white blood cells to appear in infection
11