DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)Does DHA help the eyes?
Updated 9 Nov 2026
Short answer
In older adults, trials found no benefit. In AREDS2, adding 350 mg of DHA and 650 mg of EPA to an eye vitamin formula did not slow age-related macular degeneration over 5 years.[1] In the DREAM trial, 1000 mg of DHA and 2000 mg of EPA a day for 12 months did not ease dry eye more than olive oil.[1]
In babies, results are mixed. A Cochrane review found better visual acuity at 12 months in 3 formula trials, but not in 3 others, with low-quality evidence.[2] In 206 babies born before 28 weeks, arachidonic acid with DHA halved severe retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disease of preterm babies: 15.8% against 33.3%.[3]
Sources (3)
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
- Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infants born at term. Jasani B, Simmer K, Patole SK, Rao SC Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2017. PMID 28281303
- Effect of Enteral Lipid Supplement on Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Hellström A, Nilsson AK, Wackernagel D, Pivodic A, Vanpee M, Sjöbom U, et al. JAMA Pediatr, 2021. PMID 33523106
More about dha (docosahexaenoic acid)
What is DHA?Does DHA lower inflammation?How much DHA is recommended in pregnancy?What is the difference between DHA and EPA?What is DHA used for?Can the body make its own DHA?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.