Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia.
Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
Nutrients. 2020 Apr 22;12(4):1179. doi: 10.3390/nu12041179.
This study investigated optometrists' attitudes and self-reported practice behaviors towards omega-3 fatty acids for eye health, and knowledge and understanding of their potential risks and benefits. An anonymous online survey was distributed to optometrists in Australia and New Zealand. Questions included practitioner demographics and practice modality; self-reported practices and recommendations relating to diet, nutritional supplements, and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eye disease (DED); and practitioner knowledge about omega-3 fatty acids. Of 206 included surveys, most respondents (79%) indicated recommending for their patients to consume omega-3 fatty acids to improve their eye health. Sixty-eight percent of respondents indicated recommending omega-3-rich foods for AMD management, while 62% indicated recommending omega-3 supplements. Most respondents (78%) indicated recommending omega-3-rich foods or supplements for DED. For DED, recommended omega-3 supplement dosages were (median [inter-quartile range, IQR]) 2000 mg [1000-2750 mg] per day. The main sources of information reported by respondents to guide their clinical decision making were continuing education articles and conferences. In conclusion, optometrists routinely make clinical recommendations about diet and omega-3 fatty acids. Future education could target improving optometrists' knowledge of differences in the evidence for whole-food versus supplement sources of omega-3 fatty acids in AMD. Further research is needed to address uncertainties in the evidence regarding optimal omega-3 dosage and formulation composition in DED.
本研究调查了验光师对ω-3 脂肪酸用于眼部健康的态度和自我报告的实践行为，以及他们对其潜在风险和益处的了解和理解。一项匿名的在线调查在澳大利亚和新西兰的验光师中进行。问题包括从业者的人口统计学和实践模式；自我报告的实践和建议，涉及饮食、营养补充剂和 ω-3 脂肪酸与年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）和干眼症（DED）；以及从业者对 ω-3 脂肪酸的了解。在纳入的 206 项调查中，大多数受访者（79%）表示建议患者食用 ω-3 脂肪酸以改善他们的眼部健康。68%的受访者表示建议富含 ω-3 脂肪酸的食物来管理 AMD，而 62%的受访者表示建议服用 ω-3 补充剂。大多数受访者（78%）表示建议富含 ω-3 脂肪酸的食物或补充剂用于 DED。对于 DED，建议的 ω-3 补充剂剂量为（中位数[四分位距，IQR]）2000 毫克[1000-2750 毫克]每天。受访者报告的指导他们临床决策的主要信息来源是继续教育文章和会议。总之，验光师经常对饮食和 ω-3 脂肪酸提出临床建议。未来的教育可以针对改善验光师对 AMD 中全食物与补充剂来源的 ω-3 脂肪酸证据差异的了解。需要进一步研究来解决 DED 中关于最佳 ω-3 剂量和配方组成的证据中的不确定性。
