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Flaxseed Oil for Dry Eyes

flaxseed oil for dry eyes

How can flaxseed oil can help for dry eyes? When we blink, our eyelids cover the eye surface with a tear film that nourishes and lubricates eyes. If the tears quality is bad one may feel the dry eye syndrome, a condition that can influence the vision. Flaxseed oil may reduce the symptoms of dry eyes. Understanding the syndrome of dry eyes and flaxseed role may help you decide to take or not flaxseed oil for dry eyes.

Symptoms

As Wikipedia states, the syndrome of dry eyes leads to the condition when the eyes surface feels scratchy or burn and the eyes whites become red. Sometimes people experience excessive tears. It is a natural response to dryness, but tears cannot moisten the eye surface, they can only do worse washing away the last tear film.

Flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil cannot make the glands produce high-quality tears, but it helps ease the symptoms, improving tear quality, according to the University of Meryland Medical Center. The fact that flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids plays important role for the eyes surface.

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Need for Omega-3 fatty acids

Our eyes need omega-3 essential fats because omega-3 fatty acids are part of cell membrane structural components. As far as eyes are concerned, omega-3 influence the cell membrane flexibility, fluidity and permeability. Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA converted in the body from alpha-linolenic acid found in flaxseed oil is especially important as it composes the retinal cell membranes and is essentially needed for vision functioning. Read more about flaxseed oil benefits.

Dosage

How much flaxseed oil do we need? The dosage you need depends on your health conditions and drugs you take, according to MedlinePlus. Your doctor will help you set up the necessary dosage of flaxseed oil for dry eyes. It is usually recommended to take 1-2 tbsp. of flaxseed oil or 1-2 capsules per day.

Extra treatments

Usually flaxseed oil alone cannot get rid you of dry eye symptoms. It can be necessary for you to use artificial tears for your eyes surface lubrication. Sometimes doctors prescribe medicated eye drops to promote high quality tears or you may need a simple surgical procedure to cure dry eyes.

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Considerations

Before taking flaxseed oil for dry eyes treatment, make sure that you are aware of all the contraindications and side effects of flaxseed oil. For example, flaxseed oil is not recommended for those who take blood-thinners, oral contraceptives or for pregnant women.