Do I really need an Omega3 Supplement? I eat fish!
Often when discussing the importance of Omega 3 supplementation for dry eye therapy, patients will often question whether more Omega 3 is needed.
“I eat fish and Omega-3 eggs — that should be enough, right doc?”
It’s a fair question, and one worth unpacking.
How much Omega-3 is in a serving of fish?
It’s true that fatty fish like salmon, sardines or mackerel are great natural sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. A generous serving of wild salmon can provide 1,500–2,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA (the two Omega-3s most closely associated with dry eye treatment).
On paper, that sounds like more than enough. In reality, however, consistency matters more than theory.
The “every day” problem
Most people do not eat a large serving of fatty fish every single day. Even patients who “eat fish regularly” may only do so once or twice a week. Omega-3 eggs contain modest amounts of ALA (a plant-based Omega-3), but only a small percentage of ALA is converted by the body into EPA and DHA — the forms most relevant for dry eye support.
So while dietary sources absolutely count, they often fall short of providing a steady, therapeutic intake.
For dry eye management, irregular dosing tends to produce irregular results. Consistency matters!
Why dry eye patients may need more
Dry eye is not just a lubrication problem; it often has an inflammatory component. Omega-3 fatty acids help support healthier tear film composition and may reduce inflammatory signaling at the ocular surface and eyelids. Many clinical protocols for dry eye aim for daily EPA + DHA intakes that are higher than what most diets can reliably deliver.
Omega 3 daily dosage recommendations are often higher than cardiac and brain health Omega 3 recommendations. It is easy to find an online article for a diet to achieve 600-800 mg of (DHA+ALA+EPA). However for dry eye disease, intake is generally double this level.
Supplements as nutritional insurance
Omega-3 supplements act less like a replacement for good nutrition and more like insurance. They help smooth out the peaks and valleys of dietary intake. On days you eat fish, you’re topping up an already solid foundation. On days you don’t, supplementation helps maintain consistency.
Quality matters here. Concentration, purity, triglyceride vs. ethyl ester form, and proper dosing all influence how effective a supplement may be. Not all Omega-3s are created equal, and “more” is not always better without guidance.
If you eat fatty fish several times a week, that’s a great start — and something worth continuing. But for patients managing dry eye, relying on diet alone often leaves gaps. Consistent high quality Omega-3 intake, whether through food, supplementation, or a combination of both, tends to produce more reliable results.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s sustainability.
Dr Morris
Related topics: Can Omega 3 help your retina?, How much Omega 3 to take , How to start Omega 3 supplementation
https://www.meyespa.com/pages/contact-us
Away from corporate influences and their churn, I believe in time and an unhurried environment. At mEYEspa and my clinic, we are UNcorporate Optometry. I have special interest in occupational vision needs, concussive injury to the visual system and dry eye management. I am the owner of mEYEspa and a dedicated to the delivery of relevant information and clinic-tested eye care products. -Doctor of Optometry - University of Waterloo 1994 -Honors Bachelor of Science – Waterloo 1994 -Registered Ontario College of Optometrists -Member of Ontario Association of Optometrists -Member of Canadian Association of Optometrists -10 year straight winner of 3 Best Rated Optometrists London ON
