title: Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Dietary Supplementation on Ocular Surface and Tear Film in Diabetic Patients with Dry Eye.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on ocular surface and tear film in patients with type 2 diabetes suffering from dry eye.
  
  
  
  Thirty-six patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe dry eye syndrome were included in the study. Patients were assigned to receive omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for 3 months. Tear film break-up time test, Schirmer-I test, and conjunctival impression cytology analysis were performed on all patients at baseline and after 1 and 3 months. The subjective symptoms of dry eye were evaluated with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire at the same time points.
  
  
  
  Patients' average age was 65.57 ± 4.27 years and the mean duration of diabetes was 14.85 ± 5.4 years. There was a statistically significant increase in Schirmer-I test results and tear break-up time score after 3 months of supplementary intake of omega-3 fatty acids compared to baseline (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Impression cytology demonstrated a significantly lower grade of conjunctival squamous cell metaplasia after 1 and 3 months of omega-3 fatty acids intake compared to baseline (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The OSDI score was statistically significant lower both at 1 and 3 months after omega-3 fatty acids supplementation compared to baseline (p < 0.001).
  
  
  
  Omega-3 fatty acids may effectively improve tear film characteristics, reverse ocular surface features, and alleviate the subjective symptoms associated with dry eye syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes.
authors: a Department of Ophthalmology , Medical School, University of Patras , Patras , GREECE.
authors: Constantine D
authors: CD
authors: Georgakopoulos
authors: a Department of Ophthalmology , Medical School, University of Patras , Patras , GREECE.
authors: Olga E
authors: OE
authors: Makri
authors: a Department of Ophthalmology , Medical School, University of Patras , Patras , GREECE.
authors: Dionisios
authors: D
authors: Pagoulatos
authors: a Department of Ophthalmology , Medical School, University of Patras , Patras , GREECE.
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Vasilakis
authors: c Department of Cytology , St Andrews Hospital , Patras , GREECE.
authors: Politimi
authors: P
authors: Peristeropoulou
authors: c Department of Cytology , St Andrews Hospital , Patras , GREECE.
authors: Vasiliki
authors: V
authors: Kouli
authors: d Endocrinology Unit , Karamandanio Hospital , Patras , GREECE.
authors: Maria I
authors: MI
authors: Eliopoulou
authors: b Department of Cytology , Medical School, University of Patras , Patras , GREECE.
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Psachoulia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D013666:Tears / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: Ocular Surface Disease Index; diabetes; dry eye; impression cytology; omega-3 fatty acids