Dry Eye Nutrition

Michael Lange OD, CNS 10/10/2011

Is dry eye nutrition overlooked? Learn how vitamins, fish oil, omega-3 and astaxanthin can help improve dry eyes. Is your dry eye nutrition affected by a low omega index? Dr. Michael P. Lange OD CNS discusses omega-3, eye nutrition, omega-3 fish oil, supplements, dry eye vitamins, omega fish, eye symptoms, health, dry eye symptoms, triglyceride form omega-3, supplements for dry eye, natural treatment of dry eyes, vitamins for dry eyes, 6mg of astaxanthin, dry eye condition, dry eye supplements, eye condition, eye diet, carotenoid, Fortifeye FOCUS, Fortifeye Complete One-A-Day and Fortifeye Super Omega.

Dry eye nutriton can include diet, supplements, and a healthier lifestyle

Dry eye is something that affects all of us sooner or later in life. Most optometrists and ophthalmologists will treat dry eyes with topical artificial tears and prescription medications or punctal plugs. Many patients will get symptomatic relief with these traditional approaches for the treatment of dry eyes. However, very few doctors will discuss dry eye nutrition with their patients. I have seen the power of proper nutrition for dye eyes in clinical practice for almost 20 years. One of the most frequent questions I am asked on my live talks show “Ask The Doctor” is, “What are good supplements for dry eye?” or, “Are there dry eye vitamins that really work?” The answer is yes, there are many dry eye supplements and vitamins for dry eyes on the market today. However, “Do dry eye vitamins actually work?” is the big question. Dry eye nutrition is one of the key discussions I have with my patients at Lange Eye Care. Most patients I see with a dry eye condition have never been educated on the power of nutrition for dry eye treatment. People in today’s society want to become proactive in their overall health and are looking for a healthy option to medications. Natural dry eye treatments are becoming very popular because they work! A consumer must be very careful when shopping for dry eye vitamins over the counter at the local drug store or warehouse club because most of these over the counter supplements for dry eyes are filled with dyes, trans fats and synthetic derivatives that may actually cause harm with long term usage. The typical vitamins for dry eye that are available commercially are also usually relatively weak in concentration and may not have much therapeutic benefit.

Dry eye nutrition, vitamins and treatment

Fortifeye Super Omega Fish Oil is the newest, most concentrated and purified omega three fish oil by Fortifeye™

Dry eye nutrition consists of a dry eye diet as well as dry eye vitamins. Both of these work together in the natural treatment of dry eyes. When the traditional approaches for dry eye treatment are combined with the natural dry eye treatment it is even more effective. First and foremost I will make sure the patient adjusts their diet to one similar to the “paleo diet” and I will make sure they are drinking plenty of the correct fluids.

The next step in dry eye nutrition is to get the patient on a good triglyceride form omega-3 fish oil like Fortifeye Super Omega. The size of the patient and the severity of the dry eye condition will determine how many Fortifeye Super Omega gel caps I recommend. For anyone over 250 lbs I recommend 3-4 capsules or if they have a significant dry eye. For everyone else I recommend two Fortifeye Super Omegas a day. Fortifeye Super Omega has an EPA of 860 and a DHA of 580 in two gel caps. This omega 3 fish oil has been tested in an omega index study and is able to move the omega index on an average over 9.1%. This is a true therapeutic dosage in just two gel caps per day on most individuals. The average American has an omega index of only 4%. This is the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in our blood. We are finding our patients with an omega index above 9% have fewer dry eye symptoms than the ones below this level.

Fortifeye Super Omega is being called dry eye fish oil by our patients that have reduced their dry eye symptoms while taking this form of omega-3 fish oil. Fortifeye Super Omega was developed as a chewable for those that can’t swallow it. It has a good lemon flavor and will not cause any burp back or after taste. This omega-3 fish oil is very similar in concentration to prescription fish oil that costs ten times the amount. I also recommend eating more sardines and wild Alaskan salmon as part of the dry eye diet.

Introducing astaxanthin – the super carotenoid

Fortifeye Focus is a combination of three carotenoids—astaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Many people suffering with dry eyes will benefit significantly from the addition of the Fortifeye Super Omega in a 2-4 per day dosage but some may need the addition of one more nutrient called astaxanthin. I have been using 6 mg of astaxanthin in patients that have dry tired eye symptoms with some very positive results.

Astaxanthin has many potential health benefits for the visual system and the entire body. Astaxanthin is a super carotenoid found in specific algae. This carotenoid at 6mg per day dosage can help to relieve tired fatigued eyes. Clinical studies have proven that 6mg of astaxanthin actually improves the focusing ability of the human eye.

Astaxanthin, dry eye nutrition and the omega index

Ever since I have seen the studies on astaxanthin I began using it clinically to help with eye fatigue. I have found that dry eyes and tired eyes go hand in hand and the addition of 6mg of astaxanthin (Fortifeye FOCUS) to 2 gel caps of Fortifeye Super Omega have been extremely helpful when used together in dry eye nutrition. Now routinely I use the combination of Fortifeye Super Omega and Fortifeye FOCUS as my supplements for dry eye. Many of our patients are omega-3 deficient and have an excess of omega-6. Simply by having an omega index blood study done the typical patient will see if they are deficient or not in omega-3. Once you get your omega index levels upward of 8% you are not only in a heart healthy zone but you will also be in the zone that may help decrease your dry eye symptoms.

A natural approach to dry eye supplements

Fortifeye Complete One-A-Day Multivitamin, an advanced formulation based on the latest clinical studies. It is a combination of synergistically blended whole foods, phytonutients, vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

In summary, dry eye nutrition works when taking the appropriate dry eye supplements combined with dietary and lifestyle modifications. Eat a “paleo” type of diet; get plenty of sleep, and no smoking or alcohol abuse. Drink half your body weight in ounces of filtered water every day. Take a minimum of 860 mg EPA and 580 DHA from a good triglyceride form omega-3 fish oil. Take 6mg of astaxanthin daily.

I also recommend taking a good multivitamin (Fortifeye Complete One-A-Day) with no beta carotene or vitamin A to ensure that there are no nutritional deficiencies that could interfere with the entire metabolic pathway. Try to see an eye care provider that is in tune with nutrition routinely as well. Here’s to your health!

Dr. Michael P. Lange Board Certified Optometric Physician and Board Certified Nutritional Specialist

Dr. Michael P. Lange
Board Certified Optometric Physician
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Syndicated Daily Talk Show Host (Ask the Doctor)
CEO and founder of Lange Eye Care and Associates
CEO and founder of the Lange Eye Institute
CEO of Lange Sun and Nutrition Centers
www.langeeyecare.com
www.fortifeye.com
www.drmichaellange.com
October 10, 2011

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More information: Dr. Michael P. Lange is a Board Certified Optometric Physician and a Certified Nutrition Specialist who started Lange Eye Care and Associates in Ocala, Florida, in March 1993. Lange Eye Care has grown to nine locations throughout the state of Florida with three Lasik centers. The Lange Eye Institute at The Villages in central Florida is home base for many of the nutritional studies that Fortifeye is involved in. Dr. Lange is one of the first doctors in the industry to utilize intracellular blood tests and blood absorption studies to improve the Fortifeye vitamin line. Dr. Lange travels the world for nutritional research gathering valuable information to continuously improve Fortifeye vitamin formulations. Dr. Lange is still involved in the clinical practice of eyecare. He is a guest lecturer, contributing author to many eyecare magazines, and a daily syndicated talk show host of ‘Ask The Doctor’ which broadcasts every weekday at 9am and Saturdays at 2pm from Tampa Bay on radio stations throughout the country and video streaming all over the world via the Internet.

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	Fortifeye™ FOCUS Fortifeye™ FOCUS is a combination of three carotenoids—astaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Clinical studies indicate that 6mg of astaxanthin reduces eye fatigue symptomology and actually improves amplitude of accommodation, the eye’s ability to focus clearly on objects at near distances. This new formulation was developed to help reduce accommodative stress due to prolonged working at a near focal length. Fortifeye FOCUS is recommended for individuals who experience eye fatigue with near point tasks or after prolonged work on a computer. Fortifeye FOCUS can be used alone or in combination with any of the Fortifeye™ Vitamins. Dosage: 1 softgel per day 30 softgels per bottle. Best price on the Internet! $25.00
	Fortifeye™ Complete One-A-Day Multivitamin Fortifeye™ Complete One-A-Day is a powerhouse combination of 50 total body and vision specific nutrients all combined into one USP certified tablet. Fortifeye™ Complete One-A-Day multivitamin has been created by doctors who understand that quality counts. Fortifeye™ Complete One-A-Day can be used alone or in combination with Fortifeye™ Super Omega 3 Fish Oil or Fortifeye™ Dry Eye Therapy Extreme to combat against free radical damage in the eyes and body. Dosage: 1 tablet per day 30 tablets per bottle. Best price on the Internet! $25.00
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