GLA and Vision-Corrective Laser Surgery

Know someone who's scheduled for vision-corrective laser surgery? GLA may help!

LASIK or PRK Can Cause Temporary Dry Eye
Some people, who are appropriate candidates, opt for laser surgery to help correct their vision. The two most common types of procedures are LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). These popular procedures use a laser or a combination of microsurgery and laser to reshape the eye's cornea. Reshaping the cornea alters the focusing power of the eye, allowing one to become less dependent upon glasses or contact lenses.

Having Dry Eye Before Surgery May Prolong or Worsen Symptoms Afterward
One common side-effect of the surgery is dry eye. It can make the cornea less sensitive, resulting in lower tear production and inflammation. The good news is that dry eye is temporary, typically lasting no more than a month. But symptoms may last longer and be more severe in people who already have dry eye before they undergo the surgery (1).

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
A common condition, dry eye has many causes. One of the most common reasons is the normal aging process. It's also associated with certain conditions such as rosacea and Parkinson's. Women frequently experience dry eye, especially as they enter menopause. Symptoms include itching, burning, or a gritty sensation - even tearing when the eye is irritated. Visual efforts like reading or computer time can aggravate symptoms, and other factors such as hot, dry, or windy climates; high altitudes; air-conditioning; and cigarette smoke are also contributors. Ironically, contact lens wear can also contribute to or worsen dry eye, which often leads people to laser surgery.

Special Fatty Acids May help
Italian researchers recently investigated the effects of fatty acids on dry eye in people undergoing PRK. Thirty patients were given supplements of linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid or GLA. Another group underwent PRK without the supplement. Compared to the untreated control patients, the group getting fatty acids were found to have significantly fewer symptoms of dry as measured by questionnaire. They also scored better in the Schirmer test-a method for measuring tear production-and their eyes were able to more readily clear a staining dye from their tears, reflecting better ocular surface sensitivity and tear clearance.

GLA is a specialized fatty acid with the ability to modify inflammation and support tear production (2-4). These researchers concluded that GLA as a precursor to anti-inflammatory compounds, could be helpful in increasing tear production and clearance after PRK (5).

HydroEye is a unique, oral formulation for dry eye relief. It provides GLA and nutrient cofactors that help dampen inflammation and support a healthy tear film.

References

1. Toda I et al. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis for patients with dry eye. Arch Opthalmol 120:1024-28, 2002.
2. Aragona P et al. Tear PGE1 levels in dry eye patients after treatment with essential fatty acids. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 42:5259, 2001.
3. Bababino S et al. Efficacy of systemic linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid therapy in dry-eye syndrome with inflammatory component. ARVO Annual Meeting, Fl, May 2002, abstract 2105.
4. Horobin DF et al. Treatment of the sicca syndrome and Sjögren's syndrome with EFA, pyridoxine, and vitamin C. Prog Lipid Res 20:253-4, 1981.
5. Macri A et al. Effect of linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid on tear production, tear clearance and on the ocular surface after photorefractive keratectomy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol (published online, May 27, 2003)