Occasional dry eye has many contributing factors both internally and externally. Nutrition is considered a contributor, and nutritional intervention via re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) Omega-3 supplementation has been added to the TFOS DEWS II protocol. However, a large retrospective cohort analysis demonstrated that Vitamin D deficiency should be considered when it comes to risk of developing occasional dry eye.

Study Details

Using the TriNetX database, researchers looked at 17,710,249 patients across 67 healthcare institutions and focused on incidence of lacrimal concerns and occasional dry eye as identified through ICD-10 coding. These patients were then divided into two groups: 5.3 million patients with Vitamin D deficiency and 12.3 million without. To ensure comparability between the groups, propensity score matching was used to account for variables such as age, gender, race, and the use of certain eye drops.

Results

It’s well known that Vitamin D plays a vital role in immune regulation and maintaining ocular surface health. The analysis led researchers to determine that Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of developing occasional dry eye by nearly 30%. Authors stated:

“…identifying and addressing Vitamin D deficiency could lead to appropriately managing and potentially [protecting against occasional dry eye].”

All-In-One Solutions

Instead of recommending a Vitamin D nutraceutical alongside your patients’ Omega-3 nutraceutical, there’s a clinically proven, doctor-trusted solution that does both. Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals® (PRN) offers the gold standard and #1 doctor-recommended occasional dry eye rTG Omega-3 supplement - De3. De3 delivers over 2000 mg of Omega-3s plus 1000 IU of Vitamin D3, creating the ultimate nutritional support for patients suffering from occasional dry eye.

Learn more about PRN De3.

If you’re looking for additional nutritional support, EyePromise® EZ Tears™ delivers a clinically proven formula with rTG Omegas, Vitamin D, and 6 additional soothing nutrients. These additional ingredients include:

• Vitamin A: supports corneal surface health and mucosal, conjunctival, meibomian, and lacrimal gland health; plays a major role in the mucous layer of tear production
• Vitamin E: protects the stability of Omega-3s
• Green tea leaf extract: provides antioxidant effects in ocular tissues
• Turmeric root extract: includes curcumin and supports ocular surface health
• Evening primrose oil: includes gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), which has been demonstrated to favorably affect symptoms of occasional dry eye
• Mixed tocopherols/tocotrienols: helps to reduce compounds that can attribute to occasional dry eye

Learn more about EZ Tears.

Occasional dry eye is a multifaceted eye health concern, so it only makes sense that it needs a multi-pronged solution. Providing patients with rTG Omega-3s and Vitamin D gives them the best start towards relief. Learn more about starting them on De3 or EZ Tears today!

Interested in the other steps you can offer to help your patients alleviate the symptoms of occasional dry eye? Find out now.