How important is flaxseed oil for patients after LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery if Refresh Optive Mega-3 (artificial tears with omega-3 fatty acids) does not contain it?

Flaxseed Oil After LASIK Surgery: Not Essential for Post-Operative Care

The absence of flaxseed oil in Refresh Optive Mega-3 is not clinically significant for post-LASIK patients, as there is no strong evidence supporting the necessity of flaxseed oil specifically for post-LASIK recovery.

Evidence on Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Ocular Surface Health

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's guidelines provide conflicting evidence regarding omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for ocular surface conditions:

• While some studies show improvement in tear film break-up time and dry eye symptoms with omega-3 supplementation, a large-scale prospective trial found no significant benefit of omega-3 fatty acids over placebo for moderate to severe dry eye disease 1.

• The 2024 Blepharitis Preferred Practice Pattern notes that more studies are needed to clearly define the role of omega-3 supplements in ocular surface disease 1.

Post-LASIK Dry Eye Management

Dry eye is a common complication after LASIK surgery, and proper management is essential:

• Artificial tears are a key component of post-LASIK care to manage dry eye symptoms that commonly occur in the first few months after surgery 1.

• While omega-3 fatty acids may have some benefits, the specific source (flaxseed oil vs. other sources) has not been proven critical for post-LASIK recovery.

Research on Omega-3 and LASIK

Research studies show mixed results regarding omega-3 supplementation after refractive surgery:

• A 2017 study found that oral omega-3 supplementation in LASIK patients had a positive influence on tear secretion but did not affect tear film stability compared to controls 2.

• A 2013 study on PRK (another type of refractive surgery) showed that omega-3 supplementation decreased epithelial healing time and improved tear break-up time 3.

• A 2019 study demonstrated that eye drops containing omega-3 fatty acids increased lipid layer thickness of the tear film, but did not specifically evaluate flaxseed oil as the source 4.

Flaxseed Oil Specifically

Regarding flaxseed oil specifically:

• Flaxseed is a source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid or ALA), but there is no conclusive evidence that flaxseed oil is superior to other sources of omega-3 for post-LASIK care 1.

• A 2020 study found that an artificial tear containing flaxseed oil showed improvements in dry eye parameters, but this was not specifically in post-LASIK patients 5.

Clinical Recommendation

For post-LASIK patients requiring artificial tears:

1. Use the prescribed Refresh Optive Mega-3 as directed - despite not containing flaxseed oil, it contains other beneficial ingredients for ocular surface health.

2. If additional omega-3 supplementation is desired:

   • Consider oral omega-3 supplements (though evidence for their efficacy is mixed)
   • Focus on consistent use of prescribed artificial tears

3. Monitor for dry eye symptoms and follow up with your ophthalmologist if symptoms persist or worsen.

Important Considerations

• Dry eye symptoms are common in the first few months after LASIK but typically improve with time 1.
• Consistent use of artificial tears is more important than the specific formulation.
• If dry eye symptoms persist beyond the expected post-operative period (3 months), further evaluation may be needed.

Remember that post-LASIK care should focus on overall ocular surface health rather than specific ingredients in artificial tear formulations.