- 1 Nutrition and eyes
- 2 Causes of red eyes
- 3 Symptoms of red eyes
- 4 Consequences of red eyes
- 5 Red eyes and nutrition
- 6 What to take for red eyes
- 7 How the eyes react to nutrition
- 8 Omega 3 and 6 for red or irritated eyes
- 9 How many omegas take for red eyes
- 10 Guidelines for red eyes and nutrition
- 11 Conclusion about red eyes and nutrition
In this article we will explain the most relevant aspects of this topic and offer some guidelines on red eyes and nutrition.
Nutrition and eyes
More and more evidences show the impact of nutrition on ocular health. The irritation of the eyes due to alterations in the ocular surface It is a clear example, where the food we eat can aggravate or improve the symptoms of stinging, photophobia and poor visual quality.
It is estimated that 60% of the population suffers from red eyes and eye irritation, a figure that increases with age and in women, exceeding 80% in women over 60 years.
Causes of red eyes
The causes of red eyes are very varied, and in most cases related to external factors. These produce an aggression on the ocular surface, such as excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, dry environments, pollution of cities, wind and much more.
TThey also influence factors such as certain medications, antidepressants, antihypertensives (Beta-blockers), mucolytics, eye drops with preservatives, etc. Suffering diseases such as rheumatic disorders, thyroid involvement or skin alterations, such as acne rosacea is also closely related to having red or irritated eyes.
Symptoms of red eyes
The symptoms of red eyes can be very varied and will depend on the circumstances of each person. Anyway, we can say that the most common are:
- Itching and burning sensation
- Photophobia
- Heaviness of Eyelids
- Poor visual quality
However, a deficit in tear secretion and a deterioration in its composition are caused, facts that contribute to aggravate the symptoms of red eye. This closes a vicious circle that can affect the daily life of those who suffer from it.
Consequences of red eyes
In all these cases there is a common element, the inflammation of the ocular surface. The activation of type II histocompatibility molecules that activate in turn the CD4 lymphocytes, responsible for secreting the mediators of inflammation, cytokines such as TNF alpha and Interleukin IL-1 beta.
The cytokines damage the tissues of the ocular surface, appearing the symptoms of red eye and eye irritation and at the same time damage the tear glands and the Meibomian glands.
The thing does not end here, along with this line of aggravation it has been seen that the diet plays a very important role, both against and for. The presence of antioxidants, essential fatty acids Omega 6 and Omega 3, can help break this vicious circle.
Red eyes and nutrition
There is evidence that a balanced nutrition in Omega 6 and Omega 3, in a ratio of 2.3 / 1, can reduce the level of cytokines in the ocular surface, contributing to improve the symptoms of red eyes and eye irritation.
Nutrition plays a fundamental role on the ocular surface. To the point of being a key factor in the discomfort of red eyes and eye irritation, both in its genesis and as its evolution. The change in diet can represent a significant improvement in symptoms, we must ingest essential fatty acids. Omega 3 and Omega 6, fundamentally the first.
For those who have problems in the ingestion of these foods, remember that there are different drugs and dietary supplements that can provide the levels of Omega 3 and 6 necessary in each case.
What to take for red eyes
The most important Omega 3 are:
- ALA (Alfalinolenic Acid)
- DHA (decosahexaenoic acid)
- EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid)
The most important Omega 6 are:
- LA (Linoleic Acid)
- GLA (Gammalinoleic Acid)
- DGLA (Dihomogammlinoleic Acid)
- AA (Arachidonic acid).
Basically the Omega 3 are anti-inflammatory while the Omega 6 have opposite effect, they have inflammatory capacity and, although it seems a contradiction, both are necessary. Let's see why.
How the eyes react to nutrition
The Omega 3 synthesize Prostaglandins E3 and Leukotrienes B5, directly with anti-inflammatory capacity, ie with positive effect, but also block the passage of DGA to AA (both Omega 6), responsible for the synthesis of mediators of inflammation: prostaglandins E2 and B4 leukotrienes, bypassing DGA to prostaglandins E1 with anti-inflammatory potential.
Omega 3 and 6 for red or irritated eyes
This indicates that if we ingest the appropriate amount of Omega 3 and Omega 6, we will have a higher concentration of anti-inflammatory mediators, which come directly from Omega 3, plus the derivatives of Omega 6, by action of Omega 3, which It should make us think that it is important to respect an adequate proportion of Omega 3 and Omega 6, since if you increase the intake of Omega 6, we will end up with a higher concentration of mediators of inflammation and that type of diet will have a negative effect.
Omega 6 are in the meat, fried and processed foods, such as margarines and all bakery products. The Omega 3 are in fish, especially blue (Salmon, Tuna, Sardine, Anchovy, Swordfish, Mackerel, Trout, Cod), Shellfish (Prawns, Lobster, Clams, Mussels), Nuts (Nuts, Hazelnuts) and Vegetables and legumes (Broccoli, Spinach, Beans, Flax Seed).
How many omegas take for red eyes
Properly combining the omega to supply the right doses to the eyes when we suffer from red eyes is vital.
For a suitable proportion of Omegas 3 and 6, it is recommended to eat meat, 1 or 2 times a week (combining red and white meat) and 4 or 5 fish intakes.
It is evident that together with these foods it is necessary to add other foods that contain proteins, minerals, vitamins, etc., elements that are necessary for the general metabolism and that also have an important antioxidant role on the ocular surface.
Guidelines for red eyes and nutrition
It is false that you should not eat meat for contributing "bad" animal fats. Meat is necessary, especially when you play sports, the problem appears when you abuse your intake and when it is not accompanied by other foods such as fish and vegetables. When these foods are combined correctly, in addition to the positive contributions of meat proteins, we have seen how Omega 6, a priori with an inflammatory effect, is converted into anti-inflammatory elements that benefit the eye, mucous membranes and joints.
The key is a balanced diet, considering that each person, according to their lifestyle, will have their own requirements, so we recommend going to a nutrition expert or an endocrinologist, to adjust the diet in a personalized way.
Patients who come to our practice with red eye syndrome, often see that they follow an unbalanced diet. Generally we evidence an abuse of meat or foods rich in Omega 6 and with a manifest deficit of foods that provide Omega 3. In these cases we have seen that the simple fact of redirecting the diet (with the help of dieticians and nutritionists) or eliminating foods that had intolerance in food tolerance tests, has been enough to improve to a significant degree the discomfort of eye irritation.
Conclusion about red eyes and nutrition
This does not mean that all the pictures of red eyes or eye irritation go through adjusting the nutrition. We will always recommend a visit to the ophthalmologist to analyze the causes and treat them specifically. However, many times we find patients who must use anti-inflammatory drugs almost chronically.
The fact of adjusting a balanced diet in Omegas, already generates natural anti-inflammatory mediators that allow drugs to be reduced, improve symptoms and eliminate the negative side effects that they can trigger.
This article is one of the best articles I read about: red eyes and nutrition.
Kisses 🙂
Hi Ellena,
Thank you for your comment. We continue working on our blog to inform all those people about the importance of nutrition in our eye health.
Greetings,
I have read with great interest your article on Red Eyes and Nutrition and I can say that it is one of the best articles I have ever read.
Dear Isidra,
Thank you very much for your comment, we will continue updating our ophthalmology blog to inform all those who have doubts about ophthalmology.
Greetings,