Serene eye reflecting omega symbol, representing relief from dry eye.

Omega-3s to the Rescue: Can Fatty Acids Soothe Glaucoma-Related Dry Eye?

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how omega-3 supplements could offer relief from dry eye symptoms for glaucoma patients using pressure-lowering eye drops."

If you're managing glaucoma with eye drops, you might also be battling an unwelcome side effect: dry, irritated eyes. Long-term use of topical medications to lower intraocular pressure can disrupt the delicate tear film, leading to discomfort and even impacting your quality of life. It's a frustrating double whammy – treating one condition while inadvertently worsening another.

Dry eye syndrome, characterized by inadequate tear film volume, instability, and ocular surface damage, is a common issue for glaucoma patients. Symptoms range from dryness and burning to blurred vision and light sensitivity. These discomforts can make it challenging to stick to your glaucoma treatment plan, highlighting the need for solutions that address both conditions.

Now, new research offers a glimmer of hope. A recent study published in Clinical Ophthalmology investigates the potential of omega-3 fatty acid supplements to alleviate dry eye symptoms in glaucoma patients. This article breaks down the study's findings and explores how this natural approach could bring much-needed relief.

Omega-3s: A Natural Approach to Dry Eye Relief?

Serene eye reflecting omega symbol, representing relief from dry eye.

The Clinical Ophthalmology study involved 1,255 glaucoma patients experiencing dry eye symptoms related to their topical glaucoma medications. The participants took a daily dietary supplement containing a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants for 12 weeks. Researchers then assessed various dry eye symptoms, conjunctival hyperemia, tear breakup time, and other key indicators.

The results were encouraging: After 12 weeks, participants experienced significant improvements in all measured dry eye symptoms. These included reductions in:

Scratching and stinging sensations
Grittiness
Tired eyes
Grating sensation
Blurry vision

The study also found significant improvements in tear secretion and tear film stability, as measured by the Schirmer test and tear breakup time. Compliance was high, with 62.5% of patients adhering to the supplement regimen. Importantly, those who consistently took the supplement experienced statistically significant improvements compared to those who were less compliant.

The Takeaway: A Promising Step, But More Research Needed

This study suggests that dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may be a valuable addition to managing dry eye symptoms in glaucoma patients. By improving tear film stability and reducing ocular surface inflammation, omega-3s could offer a natural way to enhance comfort and potentially improve adherence to glaucoma treatment.

It's important to note that this study had an open-label, uncontrolled design. While the large sample size strengthens the findings, further research using randomized, controlled trials is needed to confirm these results and assess the long-term effects of omega-3 supplementation.

If you're struggling with dry eye symptoms related to glaucoma medications, talk to your ophthalmologist. They can help determine if omega-3 supplementation is right for you and recommend appropriate strategies to manage your symptoms and protect your vision.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2147/opth.s96433, Alternate LINK

Title: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Improves Dry Eye Symptoms In Patients With Glaucoma: Results Of A Prospective Multicenter Study

Subject: Ophthalmology

Journal: Clinical Ophthalmology

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Jesus Tellez Vazquez

Published: 2016-04-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is dry eye syndrome, and why is it significant for individuals with glaucoma?

Dry eye syndrome is characterized by inadequate tear film volume, instability, and ocular surface damage. This condition can cause various symptoms, including dryness, burning, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. In the context of glaucoma, dry eye is a frequent side effect for patients using topical medications to lower intraocular pressure. The impact is significant because it affects patients' comfort and can make it difficult to stick to their glaucoma treatment plan.

What was the focus of the Clinical Ophthalmology study, and who were the participants?

The study in *Clinical Ophthalmology* focused on 1,255 glaucoma patients dealing with dry eye symptoms caused by their topical glaucoma medications. They took a daily dietary supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. The assessment included various dry eye symptoms, conjunctival hyperemia, tear breakup time, and other key indicators to determine the supplement's effectiveness in relieving dry eye.

What were the key findings of the study regarding the effects of omega-3 supplements?

The study revealed significant improvements in participants after 12 weeks of taking omega-3 supplements. These improvements included reductions in scratching, stinging, grittiness, tired eyes, grating sensations, and blurry vision. Also, the study measured improvements in tear secretion and tear film stability, as measured by the Schirmer test and tear breakup time, showing a positive impact on the tear film.

How do omega-3 fatty acids potentially alleviate dry eye symptoms in glaucoma patients?

Omega-3 fatty acids may help manage dry eye symptoms in glaucoma patients by improving tear film stability and reducing ocular surface inflammation. This natural approach offers a potential solution to enhance comfort and potentially improve adherence to glaucoma treatment. The findings suggest that omega-3s could be a valuable addition to managing dry eye symptoms in glaucoma patients.

What is the overall takeaway from the research, and what further steps are needed?

The study's findings are a promising step, but more research is needed. While the results indicate that omega-3 supplements can alleviate dry eye symptoms in glaucoma patients, the long-term effects and optimal dosages still require further investigation. This research highlights the importance of exploring natural approaches to improve eye comfort and overall well-being for those managing glaucoma with topical medications.