Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Eye Health: Opinions and Self-Reported Practice Behaviors of Optometrists in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

This study investigated optometrists’ attitudes and self-reported practice behaviors towards omega-3 fatty acids for eye health, and knowledge and understanding of their potential risks and benefits. An anonymous online survey was distributed to optometrists in Australia and New Zealand. Questions included practitioner demographics and practice modality; self-reported practices and recommendations relating to diet, nutritional supplements, and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eye disease (DED); and practitioner knowledge about omega-3 fatty acids. Of 206 included surveys, most respondents (79%) indicated recommending for their patients to consume omega-3 fatty acids to improve their eye health. Sixty-eight percent of respondents indicated recommending omega-3-rich foods for AMD management, while 62% indicated recommending omega-3 supplements. Most respondents (78%) indicated recommending omega-3-rich foods or supplements for DED. For DED, recommended omega-3 supplement dosages were (median [inter-quartile range, IQR]) 2000 mg [1000–2750 mg] per day. The main sources of information reported by respondents to guide their clinical decision making were continuing education articles and conferences. In conclusion, optometrists routinely make clinical recommendations about diet and omega-3 fatty acids. Future education could target improving optometrists’ knowledge of differences in the evidence for whole-food versus supplement sources of omega-3 fatty acids in AMD. Further research is needed to address uncertainties in the evidence regarding optimal omega-3 dosage and formulation composition in DED.

Potential Properties of Natural Nutraceuticals and Antioxidants in Eye Protection

“…The drug therapy adopted for these pathologies, can be supported by the intake of particular foods or food supplements, which have been shown to be able to address, together with drugs, the pathophysiologic mechanisms directly involved. Numerous micronutrients and nutraceuticals products, in fact, can affect some eye components through the involvement of different metabolic pathways [17][18][19]. This review can be divided into three sections: in the first part, the close correlation between the main pathologies affecting the eye and oxidative damage is described; in the second part, the beneficial effects of some anti-oxidant compounds on eye health are developed; finally, the third section deals with the hypothetical development of an antioxidant mixture, motivating the choice and the age of the people who should take it.…”

What Advice Is Currently Given to Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by Eyecare Practitioners, and How Effective Is It at Bringing about a Change in Lifestyle? A Systematic Review

“…Optometrists reported recommending omega-3 rich foods for AMD (68%) with 95% recommending fish or non-fish seafood as a source. However, in accordance with the lack of supporting evidence, only 29% recommended specific doses of omega-3 fatty acid supplements to patients [ 62 ].…”

“…An important point to consider is that the studies that were reported recently (2020 and later) [ 50 , 52 , 57 , 62 , 78 ] show that there are improved rates of advice provision amongst practitioners compared to earlier studies [ 35 , 36 , 43 , 45 , 49 , 54 , 55 ]. However, this review highlights that there is still a need for further education for practitioners, specifically about the importance of smoking cessation advice.…”

Nutritional Treatment in Crohn’s Disease

“…The Western diet is characterized by a high intake of saturated fatty acids and low consumption of polyunsaturated fatty (PUFAs) and long-chain PUFAs (LC-PUFAs) [ 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 ], and for this reason it is considered one of the causes of systemic inflammation. In Western populations, the ratio between omega-6 (one of the factors promoting inflammation) and omega-3 has been estimated to be 10:1–20:1, instead of the optimal estimated ratio, which is 4:1 [ 147 ], a condition that is mainly due to the increasing abuse of vegetable oils (e.g., soy, safflower, corn, and sunflower) [ 142 , 148 , 149 ]. However, this ratio also seems to be influenced by personal genotype.…”