Dry Eye Disease and those crazy Europeans, especially those Scandinavians, just can't trust

[HysteryDiagnosis]

them as this only involved a few researchers producing "anecdotal" evidence. A chuckle for the huckle and a grin for odin.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21834921


Acta Ophthalmol. 2011 Aug 11. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.02196.x.
A multicentre, double-masked, randomized, controlled trial assessing the effect of oral supplementation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on a conjunctival inflammatory marker in dry eye patients.
Brignole-Baudouin F, Baudouin C, Aragona P, Rolando M, Labetoulle M, Pisella PJ, Barabino S, Siou-Mermet R, Creuzot-Garcher C.
Source

Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Biological and Pharmacological Sciences, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France INSERM, U968, Paris, France UPMC Univeristy Paris 06, UMR S 968, Institute of Vision, Paris, France CNRS, UMR 7210, Paris, France Department of Ophthalmology III, Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital, Paris, France Department of Ophthalmology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Clinica Oculista, Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy CHU Bicêtre Department of Ophthalmology, Assistance Publique, South Paris University, Kremlin-Bicêtre, Paris, France Department of Ophthalmology, University François Rabelais, Bretonneau Hospital, Tours, France Bausch & Lomb, Montpellier, France Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Dijon, France.

Abstract

Purpose:  To determine whether oral supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can reduce conjunctival epithelium expression of the inflammatory marker human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES). Methods:  This 3-month, double-masked, parallel-group, controlled study was conducted in nine centres, in France and Italy.

Eligible adult patients with mild to moderate DES were randomized to receive a placebo containing medium-chain triglycerides or treatment supplement containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins and zinc. Treatment regimen was three capsules daily. Impression cytology (IC) was performed at baseline and at month 3 to assess the percentage of cells expressing HLA-DR and to evaluate fluorescence intensity, an alternate measure of HLA-DR. Dry eye symptoms and objective signs were also evaluated. Analyses were performed on the full analysis set (FAS) and per-protocol set (PPS). Results:  In total, 138 patients were randomized; 121 patients with available IC were included in the FAS, and of these, 106 patients had no major protocol deviations (PPS).

In the PPS, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of HLA-DR-positive cells in the fatty acids group (p = 0.021). Expression of HLA-DR as measured by fluorescence intensity quantification was also significantly reduced in the fatty acids group . No significant difference was found for the signs and symptoms, but there was a tendency for improvement in patients receiving the fatty acids treatment.

Conclusion:  This study demonstrates that supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can reduce expression of HLA-DR conjunctival inflammatory marker and may help improve DES symptoms.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/restasis-side-effects.html
The alternative medicine used to address essential fatty acid deficiency or imbalance is called "Restasis" and is sold at better drugstores everywhere, however there is the slight risk of:

Blurred vision; mild burning, itching, or stinging; sensation of having something in your eye.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Restasis Drops:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in vision; continued or worsening itching, burning, stinging, or irritation; continuing blurred vision; discharge from eyes; excessive tear production; eye pain, redness, or swelling.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

[rfranklin]

1. The side effects are exactly the same as "dry eye" symptoms...

What's with that?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Must just be the placebo effect at work methinks. n/t

[HuckleB]

3. Small, selected studies are interesting.

However, they are not enough to make treatment recommendations.

I could address the rest of this bizarre comparison, but why should anyone waste time on this nonsense?

The Value of Replication: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/the-value-of-replication/