Dry Eye & Nutrition Update - Part 1

Could what you eat make your eyes look and feel better?

What you eat can make an impact on how your eyes look and feel. So here are some times about what dietary changes and supplements can help improve your’e eye appearance and comfort.

Keep Hydrated. 

It seems simple but being dehydrated has an impact on your eye comfort. A 2012 study found that whole-body hydration was an important consideration in Dry Eye. If you suffer from dry and tired eyes ensuring you’re getting enough water every day may help.

Manage your Bacteria.         

Could probiotics be beneficial in Dry Eyes???

The ocular microbiome is the group of bacteria, and other microbes, that live on the ocular surface — like in the digestive tract, having a good balance of the right type of bacteria appears to be good for the eye. 

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are consumed because of their health effects. Pre- and Probiotics have been shown to have a positive impact on many aspects of health. While more research is needed, studies are starting to report the positive effects of probiotics in Dry Eye Disease. 

Two studies from Italy have reported positive results in treating dry eyes with topical probiotics, specifically Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces boulardii. And while topical probiotics are not commercially available oral probiotics may also make a difference. Christensenellaceae, Lactobacillus Helveticus group and PAC001797s have been shown to influence tear secretion.

Sjögren syndrome, which has severe dry eyes as a symptom, has been shown to improve by treating intestinal dysbiosis and improving the microbiota with dietary fibre, prebiotics, and probiotic.

Rosacea is also often associated with dry eyes due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, and there is evidence a healthy gut microbiome, including the consumption of a fibre and prebiotic rich diet benefits rosacea. It's been suggested you need to consistently take these for eight weeks to see if they will have a positive impact. 

So consider adding a probiotic to your routine.