WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Eye drops containing
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) significantly reduced symptoms of dry
eye syndrome in mice, a new study says.
ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid that's not made by the body and has
to be obtained through diet. Dry eye, which affects about 10
million people in the United States, causes symptoms such as
stinging, burning, irritation or a feeling of scratchiness. It can
lead to problems with day-to-day activities such as driving and
reading.
Currently, treatment options are limited in terms of
effectiveness and undesirable side effects, according to background
information in the study, published in the February issue of the
journal
Archives of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Reza Dana, a Harvard Medical School professor and Cornea
Service Director at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and
colleagues at the Schepens Eye Research Institute tested three
formulations of fatty acids: 0.2 percent ALA; 0.2 percent linoleic
acid (an omega-6 fatty acid); and 0.01 percent ALA combined with
0.1 percent linoleic acid.
Some mice received once-a-day treatment with these eye drops,
while other mice did not receive any eye drops. The eyes of mice
treated with ALA showed a significant reversal in epithelial damage
to the cornea, which is the transparent dome that covers the
pupil.
"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," Dana noted.
"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," Dana said.
The study received funding from Johnson & Johnson Vision
Care Inc.
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about
dry eye syndrome.
