Boston (Feb. 11, 2008) � Research conducted by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) Cornea Service Director and Harvard Medical School Professor Reza Dana, M.D., M. Sc., MPH, and colleagues at the Schepens Eye Research Institute have found for the first time that topical drop application of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) led to a significant decrease in clinical signs of dry eye syndrome (DES) in animal models. ALA is a fatty acid that cannot be made by the body and must be supplied in the diet.
The study will be published in the February 2008 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears, causing them to become dry and irritated. Inflammation is frequently associated with the condition. Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include eye discomfort, such as stinging or burning, eye irritation or a feeling of scratchiness.
The condition affects well more than 10 million people, primarily women, in the United States alone and can often lead to problems with activities such as reading and driving. Dry eye syndrome is also one of the most common conditions for which patients see eye care. Unfortunately, treatment options are quite limited in terms of both efficacy and undesirable side-effects.
The study tested three formulations of fatty acids: 0.2 percent alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) ; 0.2 percent linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) ; and 0.1 percent alpha-linolenic acid combined with 0.1 percent linoleic acid. An eye drop containing each of the three formulations was applied topically to the eye of a mouse once daily. An untreated group did not receive eye drops.
Signs of dry eye were then measured 24 hours after the last dose. Eyes treated with ALA showed a significant reversal in epithelial damage to the cornea, the transparent dome that covers the pupil. Results show a beneficial effect of the topical application of ALA in reversing the signs of dry eye syndrome as well as the inflammatory changes seen in dry eye syndrome.
�The current study for the first time demonstrates the benefit of topical application of a particular fatty acid in treating the signs of dry eye syndrome at both the molecular and cellular levels. Using topical formulations of fatty acids to treat dry eye would allow for more flexibility for treatment, including lessening side effects that patients can experience from oral intake of fatty acids. Clinical studies with topical fatty acids are being planned, which if successful could alter the method by which this common condition is treated,� said Dr. Dana.
a lot of times, dry eyes are caused by the immune system attacking the eyes (the part that lubricates the eyes).
I remember reading this on the iodine site:
Quote:
How does iodine supplementation affect thyroid antibody levels?
Flechas: We watched the antibody levels carefully for several years when we first started supplementing with iodine. We did not notice any changes. They were essentially stable. The antibody levels are not a result of iodine. Iodine actually stabilizes the internal structure of the thyroid gland in both Graves and Hashimoto's.
Autoimmunity is an effect of methylation -- not iodine levels. If you increase the methyl groups, the antibodies will drop. (Gave example of someone with TPOab = 900. Gave methyl groups (e.g., 1 teaspoon per day of tri-methylglycine). Antibodies dropped to 100 in one month. Gave a couple more similar examples.)
and wondered if TMG would work for the dry eye problem.
evidently TMG can favorably influence autoimmune disease by lowering homocysteine.
I'm not sure I really understand how TMG works - and how upping the methyl groups helps lower homocysteine, and helps autoimmune disease.. but, for what it is worth, it might be worth trying.
also, elevated homocysteine is a symptom in quite a few other diseases:
One of the newest focuses of treatment for homocystinuria is trimethylglycine (TMG), also called Betaine (not MCI). TMG is considered a "methylation enhancing compound" which helps homocysteine convert to methionine. In a 1993 study on patients with elevated homocysteine, the therapy with TMG in addition to pyridoxine, folate and cobalamin supplementation significantly reduced homocysteine plasma levels with no side effects during the two years in which treatment was monitored. Interestingly, on the cases where combined folate, pyridoxine and cobalamin did not dramatically lower homocysteine, adding TMG had significant effects. (Monatero et al., 1993) Along with lowering homocysteine, TMG is said to lower VLDL's increase muscle mass and decrease fat content. (Franker, 1997) Research is ongoing and the results on this beneficial nutrient may be revolutionary in homocysteine maintenance.
Hepatic folate, methyl group, and homocysteine metabolism are interrelated pathways that when disrupted are associated with numerous pathologies. Maintenance of normal methyl group and homocysteine homeostasis is dependent on the balance between: S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent transmethylation, which utilizes methyl groups and produces homocysteine; remethylation of homocysteine back to methionine by folate-dependent and -independent mechanisms; and homocysteine catabolism via the transsulfuration pathway. Recent studies have demonstrated that hormonal imbalance is a factor in the control of key proteins that regulate these pathways. A diabetic state is characterized by increased expression of specific methyltransferases that utilize SAM-derived methyl groups and produce homocysteine. Although the supply of methyl groups from the folate-dependent 1-carbon pool appears to be diminished under diabetic conditions, the increased production of homocysteine is compensated for by stimulation of folate-independent remethylation and catabolism by transsulfuration, resulting in hypohomocysteinemia. Similar changes have been observed with glucocorticoid administration and in a growth hormone-deficient model, which can be prevented by insulin and growth hormone treatment, respectively. Taken together, these reports clearly indicate that hormonal regulation is a major factor in the metabolic control of folate, methyl groups, and homocysteine, thereby providing a potential link between the pathologies associated with these pathways and hormonal imbalance.
PURPOSE: Symptoms of dry eye are commonly reported in contact lens wearers and are a frequent cause of non-tolerance. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of oral treatment with particular omega-6 fatty acids in the form of evening primrose oil (EPO) on subjective symptoms, ocular surface signs and tear film characteristic in patients with contact lens associated dry eye.
METHODS: The study design was randomised, double-masked and placebo controlled. 76 female soft contact lens wearers were treated for 6 months with either EPO or placebo (olive oil). Subjects underwent three examinations (baseline, 3 and 6 months). At each examination subjects were given a questionnaire relating to lens comfort and dry eye symptoms and underwent a series of tests of tear film characteristics (tear meniscus height, break-up time), meibomian gland function (lipid layer thickness and quality) and ocular surface parameters (hyperaemia and staining).
RESULTS: The EPO group showed a significant improvement in the specific symptom of 'dryness' at 3 and 6 months (p<0.01) and also a significant improvement in overall lens comfort at 6 months (p<0.01). Tear meniscus height was increased in the EPO group at 6 months relative to baseline (p<0.01), although all other objective signs were unchanged.
CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence for a beneficial effect of particular orally administered omega-6 fatty acids in alleviating dry eye symptoms and improving overall lens comfort in patients suffering from contact lens associated dry eye.
That's intreresting, because I know of a condition called Cogans Dystrophy, also called Map Dot Fingerprint Dystrophy, which again affects the Cornea, but usually apart from an ointment type treatment, that can also be treated with some kind of Eye drops that have a Salt content, or Salt based ingredient.
Not sure if the Salt drops would work with dry eye, but as I'm sure tears are to some extent Salty, that could be something for researchers to consider.
Or vice versa ALA in the treatment of other Corneal conditions like Cogans.
I suppose the other talking point could be, that if someone ate increased levels of ALA, would that illicit the same response as taking the drops would? Albeit it might take a little longer, if the ALA needed to be broken down first, as opposed to being applied directly to the point of need.
I've found that hyaluronic acid (Synthovial Seven) works for me. It takes about a month before you see the results but I have been off and on several times and so know that it works. I tried h.a. in a capsule form but for some reason it didn't help. Helps for my s-i-l too when he remembers to take it.
Fatty-Acid Drops May Help Dry Eye Syndrome
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