Eyeworld

41 EW FEATURE index levels. They saw significant improvement in tear film stability as evidenced by improved tear break- up time. 4 Data shows that supplemen- tation with high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, in the proper dose, is a primary therapy for treating dry eye disease. 5 EW References 1. Harris WS, Von Schacky C. The omega-3 in- dex: a new risk factor for death from coronary heart disease? Prev Med. 2004;39:212–20. 2. Sala-Vila A, et al. Dietary marine omega-3 fatty acids and incident sight-threatening ret- inopathy in middle-aged and older individuals with type 2 diabetes: prospective investigation from the PREDIMED trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134:1142–1149. 3. Kislan TP. A comparison of omega-3 RBC saturation for PRN-Dry Eye Omega Benefits versus Thera Tears Nutrition versus Nature Made. Ophthalmology. 2011;82:357. 4. Epitropoulos AT, et al. Effect of oral re-es- terified omega-3 nutritional supplementation on dry eyes. Cornea. 2016;35:1185–91. 5. Faulkner WJ. The role of omega-3 essential fatty acids in dry eye disease. Int J Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2017;1:055–059. Editors' note: Dr. Epitropoulos and Dr. Gross have financial interests with PRN. Contact information Epitropoulos: eyesmd33@gmail.com Gross: mgross@prnomegahealth.com cardiovascular, rheumatologic, and neurologic benefits from these nutritional supplements. "The optimal omega-3 index value of 8% is known to be cardio-protective," Dr. Epitropoulos said. "Achieving a significant serum level was noted in a study to reduce the risk of sudden death from myocardial infarction by 90%." 1 Studies have also shown a reduced risk of diabetic retinopathy with highly concentrated DHA by 48%, 2 she added. Evidence of omega-3s as useful in ocular disease Evidence for benefits of nutritional supplementation has continued to strengthen over the years, Dr. Epi- tropoulos said. Both of the DEWS reports recommended nutritional therapy as first-line treatment for dry eye dis- ease. A poster presented at the 2011 American Academy of Ophthalmol- ogy Annual Meeting compared three different omega-3 supplements and showed PRN achieved desirable ther- apeutic levels of 8% after 1 month of use in 44% of patients. 3 In a study published in Cornea in 2016, Dr. Epitropoulos and col- leagues analyzed the effects of re-es- terified triglyceride EPA and DHA omega-3s. Results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in tear osmolarity, Ocular Surface Disease Index symptom scores, tear osmolarity, MMP-9, and omega-3 I N S T R U M E N T S | S I N G L E U S E | D R Y E Y E | B I O L O G I C S Look to Stephens for ophthalmic instruments. © 2018 Stephens Instruments. All rights reserved. For more than 40 years, Stephens Instruments has offered a full line of premium microsurgical ophthalmic instruments. With 1000+ instruments backed by a limited lifetime warranty, you can feel confident in the high quality and superior service from Stephens. Stephens – more than instruments. Stephens Instruments | 2500 Sandersville Rd | Lexington KY 40511 USA Toll Free ( USA ) 800.354.7848 | info@stephensinst.com | stephensinst.com ST5-7035 Utrata Capsulorhexis, 23 Ga Titanium Forceps S9-2060 Henderson Degree Guage S4-1715 SMILE Double Ended Dissector with Lenticule Manipulator Corneal keratitis secondary to dry eye disease. Omega-3s have been suggested as a primary treatment for dry eye disease and can be used for other ocular conditions. Source: William Trattler, MD

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