Fish Oil for the Eye

The eyes are considered the windows to the soul yet many adults often forget to prioritise their vision health due to time constraints with their busy lifestyle. The suggestion to eat carrots to improve eyesight, although a myth dating back to WWII, is still time-consuming and difficult for the average adult to incorporate into their busy lives. Adults can make a minor adjustment to their daily routine by adding fish oil supplements to ensure the quality of their eye health in the long run.

Fish oil supplements are derived from the fat or oil from fish tissues, commonly from herring, sardines, salmon, tuna, anchovies, and mackerel. Dietary supplements high in omega-3 fatty acids have been found to provide many health benefits and protect the body from diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been linked to support healthy aging. Omega-3 has been shown to benefit the eyes and improve overall health. The cell membrane of the retina is highly concentrated in omega-3, especially DHA, a particular type of omega-3 that is believed to help in the development of the cells responsible for sharp vision.

Starting from a young age, studies show that omega-3 acids are essential for vision development in infants. DHA and other types of omega-3 acids can be found in breast milk and infant formulas are supplemented with it. In a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that infants consuming high content of DHA formula developed better visual acuity by age two and four months than their counterparts that were fed formula without omega-3 acids.

Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that infant girls whose mothers followed a DHA supplemented diet during pregnancy also positively affected their child's vision development. This is due to the placenta transferring nutrients from mother to fetus, including any DHA nutrients. Several studies have also found links between DHA intake during pregnancy and a longer gestation period.

Fish oil supplements are derived from the fat or oil from fish tissues, commonly from herring, sardines, salmon, tuna, anchovies, and mackerel.

Omega-3 fatty acids have also been associated with mitigating the effects of dry eye syndrome, a common eye problem prevalent in women post-menopause. Researchers from Harvard, Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston found that women with seafood and omega-3 rich diet had a 17% lower risk of suffering from dry eyes. Another study found that women with a higher ratio of omega-6 fatty acids in comparison to omega-3 were at a higher risk of developing dry eye syndrome. Results from "The Role of Fish Oil in Inflammatory Eye Diseases" showed that the oral intake of nutraceutical supplements of omega-3 for three months showed an improvement in tear stability and decreased eyelid inflammation in patients with dry eye syndrome.

Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of vision loss within the elderly population and people with diabetes. The Better Health Victoria reports that people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are 25 times more likely to experience vision loss than those without diabetes. Poorly managed diabetes or lack of treatment can lead to diabetic retinopathy which can cause vision loss and blindness.

Findings from a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology shows that a dietary intake with the recommended 2 weekly servings of fish correlated to a nearly 50% reduction of vision problem diabetic retinopathy. In another experimental study published in the same journal, researchers studied 3,482 patients with type 2 diabetes for six years and found that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids reduced the risk of developing retinopathy. They found that the risk of developing retinopathy was 46% lower for patients who met the target omega-3 consumption, in comparison to those who consumed less.

 Omega-3 is beneficial for people of all ages.

Omega-3 fatty acid appears to be beneficial for eye development and health in all ages from infants to the elderly. Incorporating fatty fish into the diet is not always possible for busy adults, people following a vegan or vegetarian diet, and people who do not enjoy the taste of fish. As omega-3 has a higher concentration in fish than any plant source, taking fish oil supplements is one of the easiest alternatives to increasing omega-3 intake. Supplements can be purchased as a hard or soft capsule or liquid form, and many varieties include a "non-fishy" odour for easier consumption.


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Lipa Pharmaceuticals houses an Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000mg supplement, as part of our Private Label range, aimed at maintaining and supporting eye health.