Oral supplementation with a nutraceutical formulation containing omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in a large series of patients with dry eye symptoms: results of a prospective study

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the benefits and tolerability of a dietary supplement based on omega-3 fatty acids to relieve dry eye symptoms.

Methods

A total of 1,419 patients (74.3% women, mean age 58.9 years) with dry eye syndrome using artificial tears participated in a 12-week prospective study. Patients were instructed to take 3 capsules/day of the nutraceutical formulation (Brudysec^® 1.5 g). Study variables were dry eye symptoms (scratchy and stinging sensation, eye redness, grittiness, painful and tired eyes, grating sensation, and blurry vision), conjunctival hyperemia, tear breakup time (TBUT), Schrimer I test, and Oxford grading scheme.

Results

At 12 weeks, each dry eye symptom improved significantly (P<0.001), and the use of artificial tears decreased significantly from 3.77 (standard deviation [SD] =2.08) at baseline to 3.45 (SD =1.72) (P<0.01). In addition, the Schirmer test scores and the TBUT increased significantly, and there was an increase in patients grading 0–I in the Oxford scale and a decrease of those grading IV–V. Significant differences in improvements of dry eye symptoms were also found in compliant versus noncompliant patients as well as in those with moderate/severe versus none/mild conjunctival hyperemia.

Conclusion

Oral ω-3 fatty acids supplementation was an effective treatment for dry eye symptoms.

Keywords:

• dry eye symptoms
• artificial tears
• omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
• nutraceutical supplement
• ocular inflammation
• eye discomfort

View responses to this article:

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can improve both symptoms and signs of dry eye disease

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Jaime Borras MD for coordinating and monitoring the trial, Sergi Mojal for statistical analysis, and Marta Pulido, MD, for editing the manuscript and editorial assistance. This study was supported by Brudylab, SL, Barcelona, Spain. List of members of the DECSG: Jordi Gatell Tortajada, Rafael Vila Silván, Guillermo Duarte Márquez, Francisco Pastor Pascual, Javier Benítez Herreros, Cármen del Pozo, Alberto Ollero Lorenzo, Pere Joaquim Motos Brossa, Anouska Rombouts Matamala, Natalia Spagnoli Santa Cruz, Patricia Ibáñez Ayuso, José Miguel Nieto Martín, Abdulrhaman Kabbani i Bota, Eloisa Mejias Gonzalez, Mariano Royo Sans, Ramón Domínguez Fernández, José María Cordero Vallverdú, Montserrat Gaya Catasús, Mª Dolores Tezanos Fernández, Silvia Gamboa Saavedra, José Luís Almeda Jurado, Francesca Mayoral Masana, Laura Martínez Pérez, Antonio Rojano Pastor, Fernando Urbano, Sara Ortíz Ortigosa, Eduardo Conesa, Yolanda Poza, Antonio Pérez Esteban, Cesar Hita Antón, Cristina Miguez García, Carlos Izquierdo Rodríguez, Alejandro Portero Benito, Luciano Doncis, Mahmoud Zabad Wehbi, Sara Núñez Márquez, Almudena Acero Peña, José Zamora Barrios, María Miranda Rollón, Mª Remedios Ortega García, Daniel Cornejo Martín, Rocío Sanjuán Ruíz, Francisco Ortíz Ramirez, Mª Dolores Romero Caballero, Mª Dolores López Bernal, Fernando Aguirre Balsalobre, Begoña Garrido Desdentado, Mónica Perez de Arcelus, M Soledad Leonato Dominguez, Javier Sornichero Martínez, Mª Paz Orts Vila, Concepción Molero Izquierdo, Gema Olea Zorita, Albino Rial Cortizo, Ramón Calvo Andrés, Emilia Tarragó Simó, María Francesca Perena, Manuel Timoteo Barranco, Ester López Navarrete, Eduardo Esteban González, Belén Fernández Pérez, Cristián Jesús Cortés Laborda, Dolores Sosa Domínguez, José Manuel Sandoval, Miguel Quevedo Rondón, Noemí Rosselló Silvestre, Abel Salas Carrascón, Jonatan Amián Cordero, Cinta Murcia Bello, Esther Escrivá Pastor, Salvador García Delpech, Francisco García-Franco Zuñiga, Mar Salvador Herrero, Pilar Dapena Urcola, Mª Victoria Montoya Alfaro, Santiago Montolio Doñate, Alba García López, Juan Sancristobal Epalza, Verónica Rodríguez Méndez, Josu Zarrabeitia Carrandi, David Pérez Silguero, José Ramón Pérez Fernández, Sixto Carrillo Pacheco, Antonio José Gómez Escobar, José Antonio Quevedo Alonso, José Francisco Moreno Galdo, and José Azogue Camacho.

Disclosure

This study was supported by Brudy Laboratories, Barcelona, Spain. Neither the author nor the participants cited in the Large Dry Eye Clinical Study Group (LDECSG) list have any conflict of interest to disclose. Brudy Laboratories was not involved in the analysis of data and interpretation of the result. The author reports no other conflicts of interest in this work.