Associations between intake of dietary micro- and macro-nutrients with Dry eye syndrome: Blue Mountains Eye Study

Background and aims: To report on the relationship between dietary intakes of a broad range of macronutrients and micronutrients, including antioxidants and fatty acids, with the presence of dry eye symptoms. Methods: Population-based cross-sectional study of 1952 urban Sydney residents aged 60 years or greater. Participants completed a validated semi-quantitative 145-item food frequency questionnaire and a dry eye questionnaire. Results: A total of 1528 responses were recorded (78.3%) of which 902 (59.0%) were female. 53.8% of participants reported at least one dry eye symptom, more commonly by women (58.2%) compared to men (47.3%). Participants in the highest (8.11 mcg/day) versus lowest quartile of intake of dietary B12 had reduced likelihood of reporting more than 2 dry eye symptoms and 1 or more moderate-severe dry eye symptoms: OR 0.64 (95% CI: 0.41–1.00) and OR 0.63 (95% CI: 0.41–0.97), respectively. Higher dietary intakes of vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), polyunsaturated fats and calcium, were all associated with a reduced likelihood of participants reporting more than 2 dry eye symptoms (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Intakes of a broad range of micro- and macro-nutrients were significantly and independently associated with reduced odds of experiencing dry eye symptoms. These data suggest that clinicians may need to consider current diet in patients presenting with dry eye symptoms.