Omega-3 and Dry Eye Relief?
You knew Omega-3 benefits in many ways, but dry eyes? Discover how some people get relief from dry eyes by increasing essential fatty acids and fish oil supplements.
Omega-3 and dry eye relief
If you suffer from dry eyes, you know many things cause it. Some of the most common causes are wearing contacts, allergies, or dry weather. A chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture in the eye causes dry eye syndrome. It varies from subtle but constant irritation to severe inflammation of the eyes
Make an appointment to see your eye doctor if you suffer from persistent dryness, scratching and burning in your eyes. These signs all point to dry eye syndrome.
If you get diagnosed with this irritating syndrome, your doctor usually prescribes artificial teardrops. These drops lubricate the eye and relieve the symptoms. A new method of treating dry eyes is with nutritional supplements. The supplement that eye doctors recommend the most is Omega-3.
Doctors discovered that patients taking supplements containing linoleic and gamma-linolenic; two essential fatty acids found in Omega-3, dry eye symptoms decrease. Doctors who recommend increasing Omega-3 feel that it works because it decreases the amount of inflammation in the tear glands. Blocked eye glands result in dry eyes...felling sandy or gritty.
Dietary ways to increase Omega-3
Another way to increase your Omega-3 intake is by eating more cold-water fish, such as sardines, cod, herring and salmon. They all contain Omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil is also high in Omega-3 and some eye doctors specifically recommend it to their dry eye patients.
Consult with your doctor and get his opinion about Omega-3 and dry eye syndrome. The research is relatively new but worth checking out. As always, never self medicate, even with natural supplements like Omega-3. Get your doctor on board first and then help your eyes.
