Eye Didn't Know!

Omega-3 Oils for Dry Eye?

Did you know? A new study published in the February 2008 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology showed that applying omega-3 fatty acids to the surface of the eyes of laboratory mice protected them from the effects of dry conditions. Eyedrops containing two compounds, alpha-linoleic acid, and linoleic acid, a mixture of the two, as well as a drop containing neither compound, and no treatment, were compared. The mice receiving the alpha-linoleic acid had less dryness and inflammation compared to the other groups.

Did you also know? Many ophthalmologists recommend taking fish oil or flaxseed oil to improve dry eye, including the dry eye which can sometimes occur after Lasik surgery (though I would like to see more well-designed studies proving their benefit). This, however, is the first study I have seen suggesting that a drop containing the oils may prove beneficial.

Happy Birthday Abe!

Did you know? There is a story about Abraham Lincoln seeing his ghost while looking into a mirror from his bed, shortly after being elected in 1860. By studying numerous photographs and portraits of Lincoln, ophthalmologists have determined that Lincoln had a weakness of a muscle in his left eye (the trochlea), which made the eye unable to look downward in certain positions, including when trying to look into a mirror from a supine position. This would explain his double vision during the incident. Others have ascribed this story to a mirror having two reflecting surfaces, but I find that less convincing.

Did you also know? Physicians say there’s a 50/50 chance that Lincoln had Marfan’s Syndrome, which causes elongation of the hands and jaw during adulthood, due to an excess of human growth hormone. (Marfan's Syndrome can also can dislocation of the lens within the eye).

photo courtesy wikimedia commons