Dr. Jeffrey Fardink shares the latest in eye care news and trends. Learn about Omega-3s on Diabetic Retinopathy, Smart Contact Lenses, Corneal Endothelial Cell Therapy, and more.

Hosted by Dr. Jeffrey Fardink

Table of ContentsEye Care News: Omega-3s and Diabetic Retinopathy: Fact or Fiction?Eye Care News: Quality Over Quantity – The Secret to Effective Omega-3 SupplementsEye Care News: Mysteries of Nature – Unveiling the Color-Changing Eyes of ReindeerEye Care News: Exploring the Potential of Smart Contact LensesEye Care News: Corneal Endothelial Cell TherapyEye Care News: Revolutionizing Glaucoma Treatment – The Rise of SLT

Eye Care News: Omega-3s and Diabetic Retinopathy: Fact or Fiction?

Dr. Darryl Glover:

Ooh, I like that. Well, let’s make that happen, man. So, tell me about Omega-3s and diabetic retinopathy. Is there a connection? What’s the latest eye care news?

Dr. Jeffrey Fardink:

Maybe not much, or I’m not sure. This new significant study was part of the ASCEND study—I love these acronyms. It stands for ‘A Study of Cardiovascular Events in Diabetes.’ It was published in the Journal of Ophthalmology. This six-and-a-half-year study attempted to link Omega-3 supplementation with improved outcomes in diabetic patients. However, they found no statistically significant benefit. In the study, 15 percent of patients in the Omega-3 group and 14 percent in the placebo group developed diabetic retinopathy.

Some might question the type and amount of Omega-3s used. They were given 380 milligrams of DHA and EPA, which is quite low compared to what many major brands recommend. So, while there’s still hope that higher doses of Omega-3s might be beneficial, the lower dose in this study didn’t prevent diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Darryl Glover:

Interesting. What do you usually tell your patients about dosage? How much do you typically recommend?

Dr. Jeffrey Fardink:

It really depends on what we’re treating, such as dry eye or other conditions. Different manufacturers have different guidelines. The most critical factor is the quality of EPA and DHA. Not all Omega-3s are the same. The re-esterified form of the molecule is crucial—it’s a purer version of Omega-3 fatty acids and more easily absorbed by our bodies. So, ensuring the right type of DHA and EPA, and then the correct dosage, is vital. I generally recommend at least a thousand milligrams of each for daily use. The dose in the study we discussed seems very small to me.

Eye Care News: Quality Over Quantity – The Secret to Effective Omega-3 Supplements

Dr. Darryl Glover:

Yeah, I usually suggest between one to two thousand milligrams.