Eye strain? Omega-3s ease computer vision syndrome

Article by Arnie Gitomer

Eye strain? Omega-3s ease computer vision syndrome

As people spend more time in front of computer screens, mobile phones, tablets and TV sets, symptoms of dry eye are increasing so much that the condition has a name: computer vision syndrome. In this study, 478 people with dry eye symptoms who had been using computers more than three hours per day for at least a year took 180 mg of EPA plus 120 mg of DHA per day, or a placebo.

After three months, 15 percent of those in the placebo group were symptom free compared to 70 percent of those who took omega-3s. Doctors used the universal standard test for dry eyes-called the tear break-up time test-and found tears took eight times longer to deteriorate for the omega-3 group compared to placebo.

This is the first study to evaluate taking an omega-3 fish oil supplement to treat dry-eye computer vision syndrome.

Additional comments . . . from Don Goldberg

This is a very encouraging study, as “dry eye” and eye strain are increasingly common problems. Also encouraging is that these impressive results were obtain with such a low dose of EPA/DHA. This level of omega-3's is now considered relatively low, and concentrations of two to three times that level are commonly used. Given all of the other potential health benefits of omega-3 supplementation, it would seem hard to argue against taking one or two low to moderate dose softgels daily if you are experiencing eye strain or dry eye syndrome. The pharmacists and nutritionists at Willner Chemists will be happy to help you choose an appropriate product.



Reference: Contact Lens & Anterior Eye; 2015, Vol. 38, No. 3, 206-10