Dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is an imbalance between tear production and tear drainage. This condition affects nearly 60 million Americans. 

Dry eye symptoms will affect the majority of us at some time in our lives. Eyes that feel sandy, gritty, burn, tear and itch can be symptoms of dry eyes. Fluctuation in vision, contact lens intolerance and recurrent infections can also be related to dry eyes. Many things can further aggrevate dry eyes such as environmental factors, job, medications, systemic health problems, age and eye surgery. Currently artificial tears and prescription topical medications are the gold standard for the treatment of dry eyes . In treating dry eyes it is important to address the entire system and not just treat topically.  More and more evidence now suggests that proper nutrition may help to decrease the symptoms of dry eye and quell the dry eye problem.  Oral supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFAs) is now rapidly becoming an effective tool Optometrists and Ophthalmologists are using in clinical practice to help with dry eyes.  A synergistic balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 EFAs seems to work best for dye eye patients. 

Research has found that high dietary intake of omega 3 EFAs decreases the risk of dry eyes.  One must be very careful today at increasing their levels of Omega 3 EFAs by consuming more fish.  Fish can be contaminated with mercury, lead, PCBs and other contaminants. Molecularly distilled fish oil is a convenient and safe way of getting the Omega 3 EFAs.  EPA and DHA are the two principal fatty acids found in fish known as omega 3 fatty acids.  The current research suggests that it is the anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil that may help with dry eye syndrome. EPA generates the anti-inflammatory ecosanoids prostaglandin E3 and leukotriene B5.  EPA blocks the dleta-5 desaturase enzymatic step that stops the conversion of Omega 6 EFAs to the inflammatory cascade of Arachidonic acid (AA), this allows more conversion to anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E1 (PGE1).  PGE1 then binds to EP2 and EP4 receptors to activate adenylate cyclase and increase cyclic AMP which in turn stimulates tear production.  The increase in omega 3 EFAs have also shown to improve meibomian gland dysfunction with a much thinner and clearer meibomian gland secretion. 

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential fatty acid (EFA) in the omega 6 family that is found mainly in plant seed oils.  The three most common plant seed oils where GLA is found is Borage Seed oil (20-27%), black currant seed oil (15-20%) and evening primrose oil (7-14%), GLA is broken down in the body to dihomogamma-liolenic acid (DGLA) and Arachidonic acid (AA). DGLA competes with AA and prevents the negative inflammatory effects that AA would otherwise cause.  Adequate amounts of magnesium, zinc and vitamins C, B3 and B6 help to promote the conversion of GLA to DGLA rather than AA.  Researchers in Japan have shown that the addition of sesame lignans can block the delta-5 desaturase enzyme that is responsible for the inflammatory cascade of AA.  Sesame lignans when combined with fish oil enhances the anti-inflammatory effects by protecting it from lipid peroxidation.  Many studies also suggest that curcumin from the turmeric root and fish oil may also retard the inflammatory cascade of AA. Once the AA pathway is blocked the DGLA is free to convert to anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and stimulation of tear production occurs. Recent studies suggest that oral GLA supplementation improved dry eye both clinically and subjectively inpatients with dry eye syndrome. Studies also show that patients that take a combination of linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) prior to and after refractive surgery may have better tear production and less dry eye complications. 

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient to maintain a healthy tear film. Vitamin A deficiency is a cause of Goblet cell atrophy and loss of the important mucin layer. 

The potential benefits for current and future dry eye sufferers from an oral nutritional supplement for dry eye is huge. Fortifeye Vitamins Inc. has developed a synergistic blend of the Omega 3 and Omega 6 EFAs that is based on the latest research.  This formula combines all of the cofactors necessary to aid in the alleviation of signs and symptoms of dry eye syndrome.  Fortifeye Dry Eye Therapy is doctor formulated and has been carefully designed to utilize the benefits of both Omega 3 and Omega 6 EFAs.  The Omega 3 oils are from molecularly distilled Norwegian fish for ultra purity.  A natural spearmint flavor is added to avoid any after taste. Fortifeye Dry Eye Therapy could very well be the future of dry eye therapy.