biostudies-literatureUnknown13Fogt JS<h4>Purpose</h4>To determine if an eye drop containing omega-3 fatty acids (Refresh Optive MEGA-3^®, Allergan plc, Dublin, Ireland) increases the lipid layer thickness (LLT) of the tear film versus a non-emollient eye drop (Refresh Optive, Allergan plc).<h4>Methods</h4>Patients (≥30 years) with baseline LLT ≤75 nm completed the Current Symptoms Survey (CSS - a visual analog survey of dry eye symptoms), and LLT was measured pre- and post-instillation (15 and 60 mins) of their randomly assigned treatment. After washout, patients were tested with the other treatment. Primary endpoint: change in LLT from baseline. Secondary endpoint: CSS results.<h4>Results</h4>Of 21 patients enrolled, 19 completed the study. With the omega-3-containing eye drop, the mean (standard deviation) LLT increase from baseline at 15 mins was statistically significant in the overall field (8.8 [11.5] nm; <i>P</i><0.001), and in each individual zone (superior, central, and inferior). At 1 hr, the LLT change from baseline was statistically significant overall (4.4 [9.7] nm; <i>P</i><0.02) and in the inferior and central zones. With the aqueous eye drop, LLT change from baseline was only significant at 15 mins in the inferior field. The CSS analysis revealed a ≥8.68-unit decrease in mean average dryness score from baseline at 15 and 60 mins post-instillation of the lipid-based treatment (<i>P</i>≤0.03).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The eye drop containing omega-3 fatty acids increased LLT at 15 mins, maintaining it at 1 hr post-instillation. Dryness symptoms also improved and maintained improved levels 1 hr after instillation, indicating that the product may benefit symptomatic patients with evaporative dry eye.Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)2553-2561https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6930022biostudies-literatureChanges in Tear Lipid Layer Thickness and Symptoms Following the Use of Artificial Tears with and Without Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Crossover Study.PMC6930022Liu HBarr JTKing-Smith PEFogt NFogt JSfalseChanges in Tear Lipid Layer Thickness and Symptoms Following the Use of Artificial Tears with and Without Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Crossover Study.<h4>Purpose</h4>To determine if an eye drop containing omega-3 fatty acids (Refresh Optive MEGA-3^®, Allergan plc, Dublin, Ireland) increases the lipid layer thickness (LLT) of the tear film versus a non-emollient eye drop (Refresh Optive, Allergan plc).<h4>Methods</h4>Patients (≥30 years) with baseline LLT ≤75 nm completed the Current Symptoms Survey (CSS - a visual analog survey of dry eye symptoms), and LLT was measured pre- and post-instillation (15 and 60 mins) of their randomly assigned treatment. After washout, patients were tested with the other treatment. Primary endpoint: change in LLT from baseline. Secondary endpoint: CSS results.<h4>Results</h4>Of 21 patients enrolled, 19 completed the study. With the omega-3-containing eye drop, the mean (standard deviation) LLT increase from baseline at 15 mins was statistically significant in the overall field (8.8 [11.5] nm; <i>P</i><0.001), and in each individual zone (superior, central, and inferior). At 1 hr, the LLT change from baseline was statistically significant overall (4.4 [9.7] nm; <i>P</i><0.02) and in the inferior and central zones. With the aqueous eye drop, LLT change from baseline was only significant at 15 mins in the inferior field. The CSS analysis revealed a ≥8.68-unit decrease in mean average dryness score from baseline at 15 and 60 mins post-instillation of the lipid-based treatment (<i>P</i>≤0.03).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The eye drop containing omega-3 fatty acids increased LLT at 15 mins, maintaining it at 1 hr post-instillation. Dryness symptoms also improved and maintained improved levels 1 hr after instillation, indicating that the product may benefit symptomatic patients with evaporative dry eye.2019-01-01T00:00:00Z20192025-05-31T23:09:59.834Z2025-05-31T23:09:59.834ZS-EPMC69300223190841110.2147/OPTH.S228261