Dietary fat intake linked to dry eye syndrome in women
Key points
- More than eight million people in the United States, predominantly women, suffer from Dry eye syndrome, a painful and debilitating eye disease.
- Dry eye syndrome usually occurs in people who are otherwise healthy.
- According to lead author Biljana Miljanovic, MD, of the Divisions of Preventive Medicine and Aging at BWH, "Dry eye syndrome impacts quality of life, productivity and safety for millions of people.
- We found that a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids, often referred to as a 'good' fat, commonly found in fish and walnuts, is associated with a protective effect.
More than eight million people in the United States, predominantly women, suffer from Dry eye syndrome, a painful and debilitating eye disease. In the first study of its kind to examine modifiable risk factors, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Schepens Eye Research Institute (SERI) found that the amount, type and ratio of essential fatty acids in the diet may play a key role in dry eye prevention in women. The study is published in the October 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
According to lead author Biljana Miljanovic, MD, of the Divisions of Preventive Medicine and Aging at BWH, "Dry eye syndrome impacts quality of life, productivity and safety for millions of people. Unfortunately, there is little advice clinicians can offer about its prevention. Our study set out to examine how changing dietary habits in America, primarily a shift in the balance of essential fatty acids we are consuming, may be associated with onset of this eye disease.
We found that a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids, often referred to as a 'good' fat, commonly found in fish and walnuts, is associated with a protective effect. Conversely, a higher ratio of omega 6, a fat found in many cooking and salad oils and animal meats, compared to omega 3 in the diet, may increase the risk of Dry eye syndrome."
Dry eye syndrome is characterized by a decline in the quality or quantity of tears that normally bathe the eye to keep it moist and functioning well. The condition causes symptoms such as pain, irritation, dryness, and/or a sandy or gritty sensation. If untreated, severe Dry eye syndrome can eventually lead to scarring or ulceration of the cornea, and loss of vision. Victims can experience symptoms so constant and severe that reading, driving, working and participating in other vision-related activities of daily life are difficult or impossible.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is a persistent dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva due to decreased function of the tear glands or increased evaporation of tears. The cornea may be thickened and visual acuity may be decreased.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Dry eye syndrome usually occurs in people who are otherwise healthy. It is more common with older age, because tear production decreases with age. In rare cases, it can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosis, and other similar diseases. It may also be caused by thermal or chemical burns.
For more information check: Dry eye syndrome
In this study, the researchers report the following specific findings:
Women with the highest levels of omega 3 in their diets reduced their risk of by 20 percent compared to women with the lowest levels of this fat in their diet.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
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