Potential ocular health benefit of short-term omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on the ocular tear film: An observational study.

Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly improved dry eye symptom scores as measured by the SPEED questionnaire.

• Fifty subjects aged 18 to 27 years received 2 soft gels of molecularly distilled omega-3 fatty acids for 3 consecutive days.
• Significant differences were found in median SPEED scores before and after omega-3 consumption (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P < .001).
• The control group showed no significant difference in SPEED scores between days 1 and 4 (P = .093).
• Measurements were taken before supplementation and 24 hours after the third dose.

Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly improved noninvasive tear breakup time (NITBUT), indicating improved tear film stability.

• Significant differences were found in median NITBUT scores before and after omega-3 consumption (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P < .001).
• The control group showed no significant difference in NITBUT scores between days 1 and 4 (P = .149).
• The supplementation period was 3 consecutive days with 2 soft gels per day.
• NITBUT was assessed using noninvasive methods.

Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly improved tear ferning (TF) test scores, indicating improved tear film quality.

• Significant differences were found in median TF scores before and after omega-3 consumption (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P = .040).
• The control group showed no significant difference in TF scores between days 1 and 4 (P = .567).
• Tear ferning reflects the crystallization pattern of tears and is associated with tear film quality.
• This was a statistically significant but relatively weaker effect compared to SPEED and NITBUT findings.

Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not significantly change tear meniscus height (TMH), indicating no effect on tear volume.

• Consuming omega-3 fatty acids showed no significant difference in TMH score (P value not specified as significant in the abstract).
• The control group similarly showed no significant difference in TMH scores between days 1 and 4 (P = .831).
• TMH is used as a proxy measure for tear volume.
• Authors concluded 'no significant change was observed in tear volume after the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids.'

The control group showed no significant differences in any tear film measures between days 1 and 4, confirming the absence of a time effect without supplementation.

• An age-matched control group of 50 subjects was included for comparison and received no omega-3 supplementation.
• No significant differences were observed in SPEED (P = .093), NITBUT (P = .149), TMH (P = .831), and TF (P = .567) scores between days 1 and 4 in the control group.
• Control subjects were measured on the same schedule (days 1 and 4) as the treatment group.
• Subjects in both groups were aged 18 to 27 years.

The study design involved a short supplementation period of 3 consecutive days with measurements taken before supplementation and 24 hours after the third dose.

• All subjects received 2 soft gels of molecularly distilled omega-3 fatty acids daily for 3 consecutive days.
• First measurements were taken before the supplement was consumed; second measurements were taken 24 hours after the third dose.
• The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess statistical significance of differences in median scores.
• Tests administered included SPEED questionnaire, NITBUT, TMH, and tear ferning (TF).
• Authors noted further research is necessary to verify general applicability of the findings and address existing limitations.