Omega-3s help restore the sensitivity of the nerves of the cornea
Cornea: Fish Oil Reactivates Nerve Sensitivity
Combined treatment with Omega-3 DHA and the growth factor PEDF helps corneal nerves regenerate and recover sensitivity after laser eye surgery. A research team led by Haydee Bazan at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans (USA) published results of a study on rabbits in the Archives of Ophthalmology. Once confirmed in humans, these findings could open new ways to regenerate ocular nerves and prevent disorders such as dry eye syndrome.
Corneal Surgery: What Happens to the Nerves
Some nerve cells can grow and repair themselves after damage: peripheral nerves regenerate more easily than those of the central nervous system. Research efforts are focusing on how to help nerves regain post-trauma sensitivity, such as that caused by surgeries. Advances here could prevent complications from eye surgeries or diseases affecting the eye surface itself. The cornea, the transparent layer covering the eye rich in nerve fibers, is a key focus. During laser corrective surgeries, these nerves may be damaged. Corneal sensitivity can decrease, leading to problems like reduced tear production and thus disorders such as dry eye syndrome.
The Role of Omega-3
A mixture of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, a key Omega-3 found in fatty fish) and the growth factor PEDF (Pigment epithelium-derived factor) applied to the eye after surgery enables near-complete nerve regeneration2, as shown by preliminary studies. Bazan and colleagues examined the functionality of regenerated corneal nerves after surgical damage in rabbits. They tested this by stimulating the blink reflex: if the rabbit did not blink, the cornea was considered insensitive. Eight weeks after surgery, rabbits treated with DHA and PEDF showed corneal nerves that had regenerated and were as sensitive as healthy eyes. The process takes time:
- after 4 weeks, corneal sensitivity was low;
- after 6 weeks, it reached approximately 70% of healthy eye sensitivity.
However, nerve regeneration itself was faster: just 72 hours after surgery, treated rabbits’ corneas were almost fully healed.
Nerves Healed and Functional Thanks to Omega-3
These findings show that DHA combined with PEDF promotes healing of damaged corneal nerves and supports full functional recovery. This discovery paves the way for new Omega-3 based treatments to prevent side effects of invasive eye surgeries.
Source
1. Cortina MS, He J, Li N, Bazan NG, Bazan HE, “Recovery of corneal sensitivity, calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerves, and increased wound healing induced by pigment epithelial-derived factor plus docosahexaenoic acid after experimental surgery”, Arch Ophthalmol. 2012 Jan;130(1):76-83. Epub 2011 Sep 12
2. Cortina MS, He J, Li N, Bazan NG, Bazan HE, “Neuroprotectin D1 synthesis and corneal nerve regeneration after experimental surgery and treatment with PEDF plus DHA”, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 Feb;51(2):804-10. Epub 2009 Sep 24
