EPA and DHA
The two omega-3s eye care professionals talk about most. They come from fish and algae and are supplied directly.
Buying Guide
Best Omega Vitamins for Dry Eye
Omega supplements are one of the most commonly recommended additions to a dry eye routine. Here is what the consensus guidelines say, how the products actually differ from each other, and how to decide with your eye doctor.
Key takeaways
- Omega-3s are taken by mouth and act slowly. They are a long-term part of a routine, not same-day relief.
- Essential fatty acid supplementation appears in the TFOS DEWS II staged management algorithm for dry eye, and whether one belongs in your routine is a clinical judgment for the doctor who knows your case.
- Compare EPA and DHA per serving in the supplement facts panel, not the milligram figure on the front of the bottle.
- Fish and algae supply EPA and DHA directly. Flaxseed supplies ALA, which the body converts inefficiently.
- Tell your doctor before starting if you take a blood thinner, have a fish allergy, are pregnant, or have surgery scheduled. A supplement does not replace lid care, warm compresses, drops, or an exam.
Quick answer
Which omega supplement is best for dry eye?
The one your eye doctor agrees fits your case, taken consistently. Products differ in source, in how much EPA and DHA a serving actually delivers, in chemical form, and in format. Read the supplement facts panel, compare the cost per day rather than the shelf price, and bring the bottle to your next exam.
The Omegas You Will See on a Label
ALA
A plant omega-3 from sources such as flaxseed. The body converts it to EPA and DHA, but inefficiently.
GLA
An omega-6 found in black currant seed and evening primrose oil, which appears in some dry eye formulas.
Slow by design
Omegas are taken by mouth and work on a much slower timescale than a drop or a warm compress.
What the guidelines say
An established part of practice, and an honest position on the evidence
The TFOS DEWS II Management and Therapy Report is the international consensus review of dry eye treatment, and it includes essential fatty acid supplementation in its staged management algorithm. That report also notes broadly that many of the treatments in common use for dry eye lack the level of evidence needed to recommend them outright, often because of study design limitations rather than because they have been shown not to work.
That is the honest position for a supplement category. Omega supplementation is an established part of how dry eye is managed in practice, and whether it belongs in your routine is a clinical judgment your own eye doctor is in a position to make and a product page is not.
If you take one thing from this page, take this: bring the question to your eye exam. Your doctor knows what is actually driving your symptoms, what you have already tried, and what else you are taking.
Source: TFOS DEWS II Management and Therapy Report (2017). Full citation at the end of this page.
How Omega Products Differ From Each Other
This is the part that is worth reading before you buy, and it is mostly a matter of reading the supplement facts panel rather than the front of the box. Four things distinguish one product from another. Cost per day is usually a fairer comparison than the price on the shelf, since bottle sizes and serving sizes vary widely.
Source
What you will see
Fish oil, algae oil, flaxseed oil, black currant seed oil
Why it matters
Fish and algae supply EPA and DHA directly. Flaxseed supplies ALA, which converts inefficiently. Algae is the usual choice for vegans and for people avoiding fish.
EPA and DHA per Serving
What you will see
A milligram figure, often smaller than the "1000 mg fish oil" on the front label
Why it matters
Total oil is not the same as total omega-3. Read the supplement facts panel, and check how many softgels count as one serving.
Chemical Form
What you will see
Triglyceride, re-esterified triglyceride, or ethyl ester
Why it matters
A formulation difference manufacturers describe on the label. Ask your doctor whether it should factor into your choice.
Format
What you will see
Softgel, liquid, or chewable
Why it matters
Practical, and it decides whether you will actually keep taking it. Liquids suit people who dislike swallowing several capsules a day.
Talk to Your Doctor First if Any of These Apply
Supplements are not risk free and they interact with real medications. Bring the actual bottle, or a photo of the label, to your next appointment.
- You take a blood thinner or antiplatelet medication.
- You have a fish or shellfish allergy.
- You have surgery scheduled.
- You are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive.
- You already take other supplements containing fish oil, so you can avoid doubling up without knowing it.
Omega Supplements Customers Order Most
Listed in order of how often Dry Eye Rescue customers buy them. Descriptions are the manufacturer's own. Which one suits you is a question for your eye doctor.
For the most recognized dry eye omegaPRN - Physician Recommended NutriceuticalsPRN DE3 Dry Eye Omega Benefits Softgels
About the Product Available options: 180ct 2 Month Supply, 270ct 3 Month, 90ct 1 Month....
From $67.75
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For people who dislike softgelsPRN - Physician Recommended NutriceuticalsPRN Dry Eye Omega Benefits® Liquid (1.3 and 2 month Sizes)
About the ProductDry Eye Omega Benefits Liquid is a liquid dietary supplement of fish oil...
From $79.95
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For the highest omega-3 doseNordic NaturalsNordic Naturals ProOmega 2000, Lemon Flavor - 2150 mg Omega-3 Soft Gels
About the ProductAvailable options: 120ct, 60ct.120ctProOmega 2000 is a lemon flavored omega-3 fish oil supplement...
From $46.13
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For a flax-based omega-3 and omega-6OCuSOFTOCuSOFT Retaine Flax Omega Softgels, 120 Count
About the ProductRetaine Flax Omega is a dietary supplement in softgel form, supplied as 120...
$28.95
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For a dry eye vitamin with more than omega-3sEyePromiseEyePromise® EZ Tears with Omega-3s, Turmeric, and Green Tea Extract (60ct)
About the ProductEyePromise EZ Tears is a dietary supplement supplied as softgels. One bottle contains...
$42.95
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For GLA from black currant seed oilFortifeyeFortifeye Black Currant Seed Oil-GLA, 30ct
About the ProductFortifeye Black Currant Seed Oil GLA is a black currant seed oil dietary...
$21.95
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How long before you would know
Months, not weeks
Omega supplements are not a fast-acting treatment. Patients who try them are usually asked to give it several months of consistent daily use before judging, and to keep the rest of their routine steady in the meantime so they can tell what is doing what. Changing three things at once tells you nothing about any of them.
Where Omegas Sit in a Full Routine
An omega supplement is one line in a dry eye plan, not the plan. A typical at-home routine looks more like this.
-
Warm
A warm compress or heated eye mask, if meibomian gland dysfunction is part of the picture.
-
Clean
Lid hygiene after warming the lids.
-
Lubricate
Preservative-free artificial tears during the day as needed.
-
Supplement
An omega supplement, if you and your doctor decide to include one.
-
Confirm
An eye exam to confirm what is actually driving the symptoms, and to discuss prescription or in-office options if the at-home routine is not enough.
Common Mistakes
- Buying on the front-of-bottle milligram figure instead of the EPA and DHA numbers in the supplement facts panel.
- Stopping after two or three weeks because nothing has changed.
- Taking a supplement instead of treating the eyelids, when the underlying problem is gland dysfunction.
- Starting one without mentioning it to the doctor managing your other medications.
- Expecting a supplement to resolve severe, painful, one-sided, or vision-affecting symptoms, which need an exam.
Decide This One With Your Eye Doctor
Whether an omega supplement belongs in your routine depends on what is actually driving your dry eye, and on the other medications you take. An exam answers both. Dry Eye Rescue works with a network of over 5,000 eye care professionals.
Related guides
More on omega-3s, supplements, and the routine they sit inside.
Nutrition
Omega-3s for Eye Hydration
How omega-3s support the tear film from the inside out, and what the evidence says.
Read the guide
Supplements
GLA Alternatives for Dry Eye Support
Three doctor-recommended options if you are moving on from a GLA-based supplement.
Read the guide
For MGD
MGD Dry Eye Routine
Heat first, then gentle cleaning, then a lipid-based drop.
Read the guide
Overview
Eye Drops and Lubricants for Dry Eye
The full category overview: types, ingredients, and how to choose.
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
Do omega-3 supplements work for dry eye?
Essential fatty acid supplementation is an established part of how dry eye is managed in practice, and it appears in the TFOS DEWS II staged management algorithm. That same consensus report is candid that many treatments in common use for dry eye, this category included, do not yet have the level of published evidence needed for an outright recommendation. So the useful answer is not yes or no: it is a question for the eye doctor who knows your case.
How much EPA and DHA should I take?
There is no single dose that applies to everyone, and this is a question for your eye doctor or physician rather than a product page. What you can do before that conversation is read the supplement facts panel on any product you are considering: check the EPA and DHA figures per serving, and check how many softgels make up one serving. Those two numbers are what let you compare products meaningfully.
Is fish oil better than flaxseed oil?
They are not the same thing. Fish oil and algae oil supply EPA and DHA directly. Flaxseed supplies ALA, which the body converts to EPA and DHA inefficiently. Algae-based products are the usual route for people who are vegan or avoiding fish. Which is appropriate for you is worth asking your doctor.
How long before I know if it is helping?
Omega supplements are not fast acting. Patients who try one are typically asked to take it consistently for several months before judging, and to keep the rest of their routine unchanged during that time so it is possible to tell what is doing what.
Can I take an omega supplement with my other medications?
Check first. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting if you take a blood thinner or antiplatelet medication, have a fish or shellfish allergy, have surgery scheduled, are pregnant or nursing, or already take another supplement containing fish oil. Bringing the bottle or a photo of the label to your appointment is the easiest way to have that conversation.
Is a more expensive omega supplement better?
Price tracks a number of things: EPA and DHA content per serving, the chemical form used, sourcing and purity testing, and the number of servings in the bottle. A higher price does not by itself mean a product will suit you better. Compare the supplement facts panels and the cost per day rather than the price on the shelf.
Do I still need drops and warm compresses?
An omega supplement is one line in a dry eye plan, not the plan. Most routines still include artificial tears during the day, lid hygiene, and a warm compress if meibomian gland dysfunction is part of the picture. An eye exam is what tells you which of those matter most for you.
Sources
- Jones L, Downie LE, Korb D, et al. TFOS DEWS II Management and Therapy Report. The Ocular Surface. 2017;15(3):575-628. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.006
- Craig JP, Nichols KK, Akpek EK, et al. TFOS DEWS II Definition and Classification Report. The Ocular Surface. 2017;15(3):276-283. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.008
Educational information only. This page does not replace medical advice from your eye care professional or healthcare provider. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement, particularly if you take other medications. Product and brand names referenced are trademarks of their respective owners.
