Nutrition and dry eye: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Objective: To identify the clinical evidence in the literature about the relationship between nutrition or dietary supplements and dry eye syndrome.

Methods: A systematic review was performed after selecting descriptors (DECS and MeSH) using electronic database (Pubmed, Cochrane, and Embase) for the words ‘diet’, ‘food’, ‘nutrition’ and ‘dry eye syndrome’ appearing in the title, abstract or key words. Papers published in any language during the last 10 years were selected. A scoring system regarding the scientific evidence (GRADE) was applied for all chosen manuscripts.

Results: Only 17 papers were considered as relevant for our review taking into account our search criteria. The main features of the studies published have been summarized in two tables.

Conclusion: The use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, taken in the diet or as dietary supplements, appears as the most analyzed element. Omega-3 provides the greatest degree of scientific evidence regarding its usefulness as a coadjuvant in the management of dry eye. It can be said that moderate scientific evidence supports its use as a helpful tool in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. However, it is not possible to define the exact dosage to achieve a clinical benefit.

KEYWORDS:

• Dry eye syndrome
• tear film
• nutrition
• diet

Article highlights

• Difficulties are detected at the time of finding well-designed clinical trials about the effect of dietary elements in dry eye.

• There is a moderate degree of scientific evidence that supports the use of polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3) to manage evaporative dry eye syndrome.

It has not been possible to find data in the literature that support the use of other dietary supplements.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

- Conception and design: I Signes-Soler

- Data collection: Isabel Signes-Soler & J Javaloy

- Analysis and interpretation: I Signes-Soler & J Javaloy

- Writing the article: I Signes-Soler & J Javaloy

- Critical revision of the article: I Signes-Soler & J Javaloy

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.