Dr. Bazan...

[BillyBoy]

Sorry, one more question. Is it possible that taking too many oil supplements can actually translate into too much oil production in the meibomian glands? I have never seen any evidence that this is the case, but just want to be sure. I am taking between 4500mg and 5500 mg of omega 3, fish oil, flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil per day. My problem seems to be way too much oil production in the glands since when I warm the lids, a great deal of oil is released. I've even been just sitting around watching tv and all the sudden I get an instant release of tears over my right eye, like a balloon popped in my right upper eyelid, then instant relief. This has happened since I've been on the doxy and Azasite.

Bill

[Justin]

wow...I don't think I have ever fielded that question! What a fantastic "problem" to have though. I don't think anyone has a clear answer to that question. If I come across an answer, I will be sure to report back to you.

[BillyBoy]

Ok, Thanks!

[HelpMyDryEyes]

Sounds to me like your meibomian glands- the oil glands in the upper and lower lids are starting to work again- which is exactly what we want! Doxy and Azasite work to decrease any inflammation to these glands and from what you are saying I think your treatments are working great!

You can't over load with too many oils. I recommend 4000mg of Omega-3 fish oils for my dry eye patients and have been staying away from Flaxseed b/c of some talk that there is the potential inflammation associate with flaxseed.

If your eyes are tearing- it might be some reflex tearing from tear deficient dry eye combined with you evaportive dry eye- artificial tears might help.

Hope this helps!

Leslie O'Dell, OD, FAAO
www.twitter.com/helpmydryeyes
www.helpmydryeyes.wordpress.com

[BillyBoy]

Thank you Dr. O'Dell! That's very encouraging.

Bill

[GinaJ]

Does anyone use eveing primrose oil in addition?

[kitty]

Does anyone use eveing primrose oil in addition?

I take Evening Primrose Oil in addition. I have not noticed benefit from any of the EFA oils. But that's just me.

[catlover]

Sorry, one more question. Is it possible that taking too many oil supplements can actually translate into too much oil production in the meibomian glands? I have never seen any evidence that this is the case, but just want to be sure. I am taking between 4500mg and 5500 mg of omega 3, fish oil, flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil per day. My problem seems to be way too much oil production in the glands since when I warm the lids, a great deal of oil is released. I've even been just sitting around watching tv and all the sudden I get an instant release of tears over my right eye, like a balloon popped in my right upper eyelid, then instant relief. This has happened since I've been on the doxy and Azasite.

Bill

I just don't understand this scenario. When you say you felt an instant release of tears, isn't this because you don't have ENOUGH oil to keep your tears in check.

[Aaron77]

You can't over load with too many oils. I recommend 4000mg of Omega-3 fish oils for my dry eye patients and have been staying away from Flaxseed b/c of some talk that there is the potential inflammation associate with flaxseed.

Sounds like I should cut back my 8000+mg/day of flax and start using more fish oil.

Any more info on the talk about potential inflammation associated with flaxseed?

[magoo]

aaron, I've had two doctors whom I respect tell me they recommend fish oil for Omega 3 for the reason that there is talk of flaxseed oil promoting inflammation. My understanding is that too much Omega 6, which flaxseed oil contains and fish oil does not, can cause inflammation.

I have read that most of us get plenty of (or too much) Omega 6 in our diets. But that makes me wonder about those of us who are very careful about the fats in our diets. I believe it is the balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 that is in question.

If you google "omega 6 inflammation" you will find lots of information about this

[stella]

I thought flaxseed oil was omega 3 as well as fish oil - I understood it was an alternative to fish oil ???
I take both - the literature with the flaxseed says - linoleic acid and oleic acid whatever they are ??
Can anyone enlighten me

[magoo]

flaxseed has both omega 3 and omega 6, fish oil has just omega 3

[Aaron77]

so maybe I start going crazy with just the fish oil then. I'll cut out the flax and go with the fish for a bit.

[wetEyes]

@ HelpMyDryEyes

Dear Dr. O'Dell,
I have a few comments to make about your twitter site:

Firstly, it states:
"#eyeFact: Considering LASIK? 10 year studies show it is safe and effective in correcting nearsightedness-http://tiny.cc/qm9r9"
This is wrong. A substantial part of patients in this forum suffer because of LASIK. Also, if LASIK was safe, why is it not FDA-approved?


Secondly, it states:
#eyeFact: The outer layer of our tears- mucin layer is oil produced by Meibomian glands in the upper and lower eyelids- prevents evaporation
This is probably just a typo. But obviously the outer layer of the tear film consists of lipids and not of mucin.

[jimi51]

I want to throw in my 2 cents. I was at UCLA Jules Stein Eye Center last week and when I presented all the fish oils and flaxseed I was taking, they suggested that I stop it all and take a product called BioTrears. I take two twice a day, I still take my other supplements for the eye as well. I read the information from their web site and found it interesting what they have to say about flaxseed and such. At least for educational purposes I found it interesting, the jury is still out on whether it works or not.