Fatty Acids Beneficial In Treatment For Dry Eye Syndrome
Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 12 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PST

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Research conducted by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI)
Cornea Service Director and Harvard Medical School Professor Reza
Dana, M.D., M. Sc., MPH, and colleagues at the Schepens Eye Research
Institute have found for the first time that topical drop application
of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) led to a significant decrease in
clinical signs of dry eye syndrome (DES) in animal models. ALA is a
fatty acid that cannot be made by the body and must be supplied in the
diet. The study will be published in the February 2008 issue of
Archives of Ophthalmology.

Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which the eyes do not produce
enough tears, causing them to become dry and irritated. Inflammation
is frequently associated with the condition. Symptoms of dry eye
syndrome include eye discomfort, such as stinging or burning, eye
irritation or a feeling of scratchiness. The condition affects well
more than 10 million people, primarily women, in the United States
alone and can often lead to problems with activities such as reading
and driving. Dry eye syndrome is also one of the most common
conditions for which patients see eye care. Unfortunately, treatment
options are quite limited in terms of both efficacy and undesirable
side-effects.

The study tested three formulations of fatty acids: 0.2 percent alpha-
linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) ; 0.2 percent linoleic acid (an
omega-6 fatty acid) ; and 0.1 percent alpha-linolenic acid combined
with 0.1 percent linoleic acid. An eye drop containing each of the
three formulations was applied topically to the eye of a mouse once
daily. An untreated group did not receive eye drops. Signs of dry eye
were then measured 24 hours after the last dose. Eyes treated with ALA
showed a significant reversal in epithelial damage to the cornea, the
transparent dome that covers the pupil. Results show a beneficial
effect of the topical application of ALA in reversing the signs of dry
eye syndrome as well as the inflammatory changes seen in dry eye
syndrome.

"The current study for the first time demonstrates the benefit of
topical application of a particular fatty acid in treating the signs
of dry eye syndrome at both the molecular and cellular levels. Using
topical formulations of fatty acids to treat dry eye would allow for
more flexibility for treatment, including lessening side effects that
patients can experience from oral intake of fatty acids. Clinical
studies with topical fatty acids are being planned, which if
successful could alter the method by which this common condition is
treated," said Dr. Dana.

This research was supported by grants from Johnson and Johnson Vision
Care, Inc., and the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation.

Founded in 1824, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) is an
independent specialty hospital providing patient care for disorders of
the eye, ear, nose, throat, head and neck. MEEI is an international
leader in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology research and a teaching
partner of Harvard Medical School.

Harvard Medical School
25 Shattuck St., Room 001
Boston, MA 02115
United States
http://www.hms.harvard.edu

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