Does a Mediterranean Diet Help Dry Eye?

The risk of developing many health problems including cardiovascular disease, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease have been shown to be reduced by eating a traditional Mediterranean diet. Certain diet supplements such as Omega 3 Fatty Acids-which are found in the Mediterranean diet-have also been found to be helpful for dry eye symptoms and problems. The question that has been asked is whether simply eating a Mediterranean diet can help dry eyes.

Research on Eating a Mediterranean Diet & Dry Eye
Researchers reporting in the journal Cornea, tried to determine whether eating a Mediterranean diet could provide help for dry eyes. They had patients fill out the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Dry Eye Questionnaire and then evaluated the quality and quantity of the tear film along with the blood level of Vitamin D for each patient. The final results suggested that eating a Mediterranean diet was not associated with an improvement in dry eye symptoms and complaints but higher vitamin D levels had a small but favorable effect on dry eye syndrome symptoms.

So, while the Mediterranean diet itself doesn’t directly reduce dry eye symptoms, it does seem to be an eating plan that can help promote health and prevent disease for your whole family.

If you or someone you know suffers from dry eyes or needs help for dry eye symptoms please schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center , Google+ or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine Corneal Specialists Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D.