Omega-3 fatty acids

Does omega-3 help dry eyes?

Updated 9 Nov 2026

Short answer

A large trial found no benefit. In the DREAM trial, 535 people with moderate to severe dry eye took 3000 mg of EPA and DHA a day or an olive oil placebo for 12 months. Symptoms improved about the same in both groups.[1] In an add-on study of the VITAL trial, 1 g a day for a median of 5.3 years did not prevent dry eye in 23,523 adults.[2]

A 2026 review of 27 trials found no consistent benefit across the causes of dry eye.[3] It found benefits in dry eye linked to screen use or contact lenses, but none in dry eye from meibomian gland problems, the oil glands of the eyelids.[3]

Sources (3)

  1. n-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease. Asbell PA, Maguire MG, Pistilli M, Ying GS, Szczotka-Flynn LB, Hardten DR, et al. N Engl J Med, 2018. PMID 29652551
  2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
  3. The effects of different forms of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on dry eye disease resulting from various etiologies: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Chen G, Yan X, Yang S, Li X BMC Ophthalmol, 2026. PMID 42304315

More about omega-3 fatty acids

What are omega-3 fatty acids?What is the difference between ALA, EPA and DHA?What are omega-3 fatty acids used for?Which foods are high in omega-3?Are omega-3 supplements safe?Does plant omega-3 (ALA) protect the heart?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.