Nutrition and diet for dry eye disease: Insights toward holistic management

• Published in: Indian journal of ophthalmology Vol. 72; no. 10; pp. 1412 - 1423
• Main Authors: Bhandarkar, Nikhil S, Shetty, Keerthy, Narendra, P, Kiran, Anupama, Shetty, Rohit, Shetty, K Bhujang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01.10.2024; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Diet; Dietary Supplements; Disease Management; dry eye disease; Dry Eye Syndromes - diet therapy; Dry Eye Syndromes - etiology; Dry Eye Syndromes - therapy; Eye; Eye diseases; Holistic Health; Humans; Immune response; Irritation; Medical treatment; metabolic syndrome; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrition; Nutritional Status; Osmotic pressure; Quality of Life
• ISSN: 0301-4738; 1998-3689; 1998-3689
• DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2899_22

Dry eye disease (DED) is one of the most common eye problems in the aging population. Hyperosmolarity triggers the immune response in DED and consequently activates the self-perpetuating immune cycle, leading to chronic damage of the ocular surface. This event causes symptoms such as a burning sensation, irritation, redness, photophobia, and blurred vision in DED patients. Subsequently, the quality of life gets significantly affected. The rising demand for DED management and treatment solutions, and the desirable outcomes from innovative therapies that draw global interest provide evidence to demonstrate the role of diet and nutrition in DED. Nutritional deficiency and a Westernized diet contribute to the chronic systemic progression of DED symptoms. It has been revealed in several published studies that the use of nutrients and dietary supplements improves the ocular surface and acts as a protective factor against DED. - We reviewed nutrition and dietary aspects in managing DED and its associated consequences, based on published studies, and reached an evidence-based conclusion.