A randomized, double-masked study to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in meibomian gland dysfunction

Figures & data

Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria
Aged 18–85 years	Aged <23 years or >85 years
Diagnosed with MGD	Atopy, allergic disorders
Able to participate in the study	Contact lenses
Informed consent	Ophthalmic laser treatment (less than 3 months) Systemic diseases and general treatments Pregnancy
	Systemic diseases and general treatments Pregnancy
	Systemic disease associated with dry eye
	Blepharitis without MGD diagnosis
	Ocular disorders and eye drops other than artificial tears
	Unable to participate in the study

Abbreviation: MGD, meibomian gland dysfunction.

Table 2 Composition of Brudysec 1.5 g (Brudy Lab SL, Barcelona, Spain), per capsule

Nutrient	Amount
DHA	350 mg
EPA	42.5 mg
Vitamin A	133.3 μg
Vitamin C	26.7 mg
Vitamin E	4 mg
Tyrosine	10.8 mg
Cysteine	5.83 mg
Glutathione	2 mg
Zinc	1.6 mg
Copper	0.16 mg
Manganese	0.33 mg
Selenium	9.17 μg
DPA	30 mg

Abbreviations: DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; DPA, docosapentaenoic acid; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid.

Table 3 Baseline patient characteristics

Characteristic	Placebo (group A; n = 31)	Omega-3 (group B; n = 33)
Sex
Male, n (%)	9 (29.03)	9 (27.2)
Female, n (%)	22 (70.97)	24 (72.8)
Age in years, mean	54	58
Signs
Lid margin inflammation severity, n (%)
No injection	9 (29.03)	10 (30.3)
Injection	22 (70.97)	23 (69.7)
Meibomian gland secretion, n (%)
Clear fluid	1 (3.22)	4 (12.12)
Cloudy fluid	21 (67.74)	20 (60.60)
Cloudy particulate fluid	6 (19.35)	8 (24.24)
Inspissated, like toothpaste	3 (9.68)	1 (3.03)
No secretion	0	0
Mean TBUT (SD), s	6.45 (2.57)	6.94 (2.75)
Mean Schirmer I (SD), mm	16.61 (7.57)	18.94 (7.47)
Cornea staining data. Oxford test, n (%)
Grade 0	23 (74.2)	22 (66.7)
Grade I	5 (16.1)	11 (33.3)
Grade II to IV	3 (9.7)	0 (0)
Symptoms
OSDI©
Normal	2	0
Mild	7	4
Moderate	12	17
Severe	10	12

Abbreviations: OSDI©, Ocular Surface Disease Index; SD, standard deviation; TBUT, tear breakup time; s, seconds.

Figure 1 Changes in mean tear breakup time, from baseline to month 3, in subjects assigned to omega-3 or placebo.

Note: The differences between month 3 and baseline values were statistically significant (P < 0.001).
Abbreviation: TBUT, tear breakup time; s, seconds.