title: Oral omega-3 fatty acids treatment in computer vision syndrome related dry eye.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of dietary consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) on dry eye symptoms, Schirmer test, tear film break up time (TBUT) and conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) in patients with computer vision syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interventional, randomized, double blind, multi-centric study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and seventy eight symptomatic patients using computers for more than 3h per day for minimum 1 year were randomized into two groups: 220 patients received two capsules of omega-3 fatty acids each containing 180mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) daily (O3FA group) and 236 patients received two capsules of a placebo containing olive oil daily for 3 months (placebo group). The primary outcome measure was improvement in dry eye symptoms and secondary outcome measures were improvement in Nelson grade and an increase in Schirmer and TBUT scores at 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the placebo group, before dietary intervention, the mean symptom score, Schirmer, TBUT and CIC scores were 7.5±2, 19.9±4.7mm, 11.5±2s and 1±0.9 respectively, and 3 months later were 6.8±2.2, 20.5±4.7mm, 12±2.2s and 0.9±0.9 respectively. In the O3FA group, these values were 8.0±2.6, 20.1±4.2mm, 11.7±1.6s and 1.2±0.8 before dietary intervention and 3.9±2.2, 21.4±4mm, 15±1.7s, 0.5±0.6 after 3 months of intervention, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of orally administered O3FAs in alleviating dry eye symptoms, decreasing tear evaporation rate and improving Nelson grade in patients suffering from computer vision syndrome related dry eye.
authors.affiliation: Laser Eye Clinic, Noida 201301, India. Electronic address: brahul_2371@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad 201301, India.
authors.forename: Prachi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Rotary Eye Hospital, Maranda, Palampur 176102, India.
authors.forename: Hemant
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Phogat
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Rotary Eye Hospital, Maranda, Palampur 176102, India.
authors.forename: Avinash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Narayan Medical College, Sasaram, India.
authors.forename: Manjushri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D003201:Computers; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: Computer vision syndrome; Dry eye; Goblet cell density; Omega 3 fatty acids (O3FAs); Tear film break up time