Oral intake of Omega-3 from fish oil and flax seed oil (Theratears Nutrition) helps the epithelium, or skin, layer heal back faster after PRK vision correction surgery. PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is sometimes also called “flapless LASIK.” In this approach, no LASIK flap is made. Instead, the microscopically thin skin layer (eptihelial layer) covering the central cornea is removed, the underlying surface of the cornea is sculpted with the excimer laser, and the skin is allowed to grow back. A bandage contact lens is placed over the eye to help the skin grow back. Typically it takes the skin about 4 or 5 days to grow back. During this time, the eye typically can be burning, teary, and irritated. A method to speed up the healing time of the skin after PRK would improve comfort and speed of visual recovery — and also would also improve the quality of healing.
There are two types of omega-3: vegetarian omega-3 (ALA) which is found in flax seed oil, walnut oil, and chia seeds — and fish oil (DHA, EPA). ALA is a short chain omega-3 fatty acid while the DHA and EPA are considered long chain fatty acids. Ideally, you should have both in your diet. In terms of the eye, ALA tends to improve tear quality while DHA and EPA tend to be anti-inflammatory.
A recent study from U.C. San Diego, published in the November 2012 issue of Cornea, showed that oral intake of a combination pill of both flax seed oil omega-3 and fish oil omega-3 (Theratears Nutrition) sped up the healing of the corneal epithelium after PRK. The study involved 18 patients undergoing PRK laser eye surgery. 9 patients were given omega-3 pills three times a day for two weeks prior to their surgery. The other 9 patients were given a placebo. Immediately after surgery, and an each day thereafter, photographs were taken of the eye were taken until the skin layer had completely healed over.
The researchers found that in the eyes of patients that had received omega-3 healed on average a full day faster. One month after surgery, all patient taking omega-3 had attained 20/20 vision, while only 4 of the 9 control patients taking a placebo were 20/20.
In my own practice, I have given both PRK and LASIK patients oral omega-3 for two weeks before surgery and for six months after surgery to improve healing and to control post-operative dry eye. I also recommend the Theratears Nutrition formulation since it has both short chain and long chain omega-3 from flax seed oil and fish oil. You certainly could match the dosage and type of ingredients from other brands such as Trader Joe’s omega-3 pills or Costco’s Kirkland’s brand of omega-3 if you prefer — it is just important to get good dosing of both vegetarian omega-3 and fish oil (or kril oil) omega-3 regardless of which brand it is.
See Also
Epithelial Healing and Visual Outcomes of Patients Using Omega-3 Oral Nutritional Supplements Before and After Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Pilot Study
Study looking at the role of omega-3 in epithelial healing after PRK.
PRK Laser Eye Surgery: What is PRK and How Does it Differ From LASIK?
An All About Vision discussion of PRK laser eye surgery.
Cornea 2012
A in-depth look at corneal surgery, including the role of the use of oral omega-3.
TheraTears Nutrition
TheraTears Nutriton website. This was the specific omega-3 supplement used in the study. It contains both flax seed oil and fish oil.
Why TheraTears Relief for Dry Eyes Really Works
All About Vision discussion of the role of combination flax seed oil and fish oil in treating dry eye.
The Role of Omega-3 Dietary Supplementation in Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
A paper from the medical literature looking the benefits of oral omega-3 supplements on tear quality and dry eye improvement.