FEATURE/Harvard Study Connects Diet and Dry Eye.Feature Editors/Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers FEATURE... BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2003 In the largest study to date examining the relationship of diet to dry eye, researchers at Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School (HMS) is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University. It is a prestigious American medical school located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. have discovered that eating more of the omega-3s in flaxseed flaxseed /flax·seed/ (flak´sed) linseed. and fish can help prevent and relieve the dry-eye symptoms experienced some 59 million Americans. The study, presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Research and Ophthalmology, involved 32,470 women who participated in the Women's Health Women's Health Definition Women's health is the effect of gender on disease and health that encompasses a broad range of biological and psychosocial issues. Study at Harvard Medical School. The study showed conclusively that in many patients dry eye is a dietary deficiency of the omega-3 oils found in flaxseed and fish. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids Essential fatty acids Sources of fat in the diet, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Mentioned in: Nutritional Supplements that eyes, lids and tear film need to function best, but the body cannot produce. "This is the first time there has been a definitive link established between the condition and diet," said Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, one of the investigators in the study. "Omega-3 help dry eye by decreasing eyelid inflammation called 'blepharitis,' and by improving the production of oil and water by the tear glands." Dr. Gilbard cautions that people suffering from dry eye shouldn't go out and eat tuna every day because of the high mercury levels. Instead, for those who can't get salmon, sardines or mackerel mackerel, common name for members of the family Scombridae, 60 species of open-sea fishes, including the albacore, bonito, and tuna. They are characterized by deeply forked tails that narrow greatly where they join the body; small finlets behind both the dorsal and on a daily basis, Dr. Gilbard recommends TheraTears Nutrition, a pharmaceutical grade omega-3 supplement that provides those omega-3s found to be helpful for dry eye. Dr. Gilbard points out that these same omega-3s have also been recommended by the American Heart Association American Heart Association (AHA), n.pr a national voluntary health agency that has the goal of increasing public and medical awareness of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and thereby reducing the number of associated deaths and disabilities. to reduce the risk of death from heart disease and stroke. Dry Eye is the most common complaint of people who visit an eye doctor. It is a chronic disease that occurs from either decreased tear production or increased tear film evaporation. Typically, the tears become too salty, causing chronic burning and a sandy-gritty irritation in the eyes. Aging baby boomers, increased computer use, increased LASIK LASIK laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. LA·SIK n. Eye surgery in which the surface of the cornea is reshaped using a laser, performed to correct certain refractive disorders such as myopia. surgeries and an increase in diabetes are all factors contributing to its increasing prevalence. Dr. Gilbard is the inventor of TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops, a product previously developed at Harvard Medical School's Schepens Eye Research Institute, through a grant from the National Eye Institute. It has been shown in peer-reviewed studies to promote healing. |
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