Can Omega-3s Help With Dry Eyes?

A New Study Says Yes

If you’ve ever felt like your eyes are gritty, burning, or tired all the time, you’re not alone. Dry eye disease affects millions of people and can make everyday activities—like reading, driving, or working on a computer—uncomfortable.

Seeing The Difference

One of the main reasons people develop dry eyes is something called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). These tiny glands in your eyelids normally produce oils that keep tears from evaporating too quickly. When the glands don’t work properly, your tears dry out faster, leading to irritation and inflammation.

So what can help? A new study suggests that a special form of omega-3 supplements may bring real relief.

The Study at a Glance

Who was studied? Over 100 adults with dry eye and MGD.
What did they take?
- One group took re-esterified omega-3 softgels (a highly absorbable form of omega-3s).
- The other group took placebo softgels with no omega-3 benefit. How long? 12 weeks.
What was measured? Tear quality, eye comfort, inflammation, and symptoms.

What They Found

After just 3 months, people taking omega-3s noticed big improvements:

Healthier tears – Their tears stayed on the eyes longer, so they didn’t dry out as quickly.
Less inflammation – Lab tests showed lower levels of MMP-9, a marker of eye surface irritation.
Better comfort – Symptom scores dropped significantly, meaning less burning, stinging, and dryness.
Stronger omega-3 levels – Blood tests confirmed their bodies were absorbing the supplements.

Meanwhile, the placebo group saw little to no improvement.

If you’re living with dry eyes, especially from MGD, adding a high-quality omega-3 supplement may help reduce your symptoms and improve tear quality.

Of course, supplements aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s always best to talk with your eye doctor before starting anything new—especially if you take other medications or have medical conditions.

Why Re-esterified Omega-3s?

Not all omega-3 supplements are the same. Many over-the-counter products are in a form that the body doesn’t absorb well. Re-esterified omega-3s are designed to be closer to the natural form found in fish—making them easier to absorb and gentler on the stomach.

What This Means for You

If you’re living with dry eyes, especially from MGD, adding a high-quality omega-3 supplement may help reduce your symptoms and improve tear quality.

Of course, supplements aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s always best to talk with your eye doctor before starting anything new—especially if you take other medications or have medical conditions.

Bottom line

Taking re-esterified omega-3s daily for 12 weeks led to healthier tears, less inflammation, and more comfortable eyes in this study. For many patients, this could be a safe and simple way to support eye health.

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