Ocular comfort can be significantly improved through ingestion of Omega 3 fatty acids the American Academy of Optometry heard last week.
The research from the Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney, Australia, on its results of Omega 3 supplementation was selected as one of the nine most newsworthy papers to be presented to the AAO, which took place in Phoenix Arizona from October 24-27.
'We found an improvement in ocular clinical signs and ocular comfort and reduction in ocular dryness after oral consumption of Omega 3 supplements with or without contact lenses,' said Dr Percy Lazon, lead researcher. The research concluded that supplementation significantly improved ocular comfort.
As many as 50 per cent of the world's 100 million contact lens wearers report some level of discomfort which is also estimated to be responsible for 12 per cent of dropouts.
Omega 3 fatty acids have been associated with prevention of stroke and heart attack and as essential to functions such as blood clotting and building cell membranes in the brain. They are not generated by the body so much be consumed as supplements or through food such as fish.