Dry eye disease has been a growing problem for the last few years due to an increase in use of screens, in addition to the usual culprits such as aging and other diseases like Sjogren’s. Finding ways to treat this ever growing problem is a challenge doctors have been trying to tackle for years, luckily, there are studies showing vitamin therapy could bring relief.
New studies suggest that vitamins are important in maintaining proper tear function. Your tears are made of 3 layers (oil, water, and mucus). Whenever the balance of these layers is disrupted, or our body simply isn't making enough tears, dry eye symptoms begin. Keeping vitamins at the proper levels in your body helps improve tear quality, thus helping in the relief of dry eye symptoms.
Below are the vitamins that can make a difference in your eyes.
*Always discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before starting any vitamin therapy
Omega Fatty Acids (DHA and EPA)
Adding Omega Fatty Acids to your diet may help relieve dry eye symptoms. These are available as supplements and in foods such as flaxseed, fish, and sardines. Studies show long-term consumption of EPA and DHA in the re-esterified triglyceride form, may help to maintain a healthy tear film and assist in overall eye comfort. PRN DE3 Dry Eye Omega Benefits is a great Omega3 supplement with one of the highest concentrations of DHA and EPA.
Black Currant Seed Oil (GLA)
Vitamins such as HydroEye, have been clinically tested and found to support eye comfort, reduce eye irritation and help maintain smoothness in a double-blind, peer-reviewed controlled study. This omega is not easily obtained in an everyday normal diet, and not found in flaxseed or fish oils, thus best taken as a supplement.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A has shown to be an essential vitamin for maintaining corneal surface integrity. Meibomian glands, conjunctiva, lacrimal glands, and mucin layer of the tears all benefit from proper vitamin A levels in the body. Healthy cell AM/PM Healthspan System is a very comprehensive multivitamin and a great foundation for vitamin therapy.
Vitamin D
Patients with Vitamin D deficiency have been shown to have increase tear osmolarity, which results in tear film dysfunction. Therefore, patients should be advised to supplement vitamin D if they show signs and symptoms of dry eye.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
New vitamin supplement Eyetamins Dry Eye Comfort, has recently been used by many dry eye sufferers with much success. This is most likely due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the sea buckthorn oil. These berries contain linoleic acids, vitamin E, and plant sterols.
Treating dry eye disease is not always easy, but can be once you find the right combination of treatments. Seeing a specialist for a dry eye evaluation will help you discover what treatment path you need to take in order to treat your condition.
You can find a dry eye specialist near you at https://locator.dryeyerescue.com/.