Evidence supporting the use of: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
For the body system: Eyes
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found primarily in marine sources such as fish oil. There is moderate scientific evidence supporting its role in eye health, particularly for its anti-inflammatory properties. EPA, often combined with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been studied for its impact on dry eye syndrome and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), a large randomized controlled trial, evaluated supplementation with EPA and DHA in addition to other nutrients for AMD. While the addition of EPA and DHA did not provide statistically significant additional benefit for AMD progression compared to the original AREDS formulation, some secondary analyses and smaller studies suggest omega-3s may help reduce symptoms of dry eye disease, likely due to their ability to modulate inflammation and support tear production.
Professional organizations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology acknowledge the potential benefits of omega-3 supplementation for dry eye, but note that evidence is mixed and more research is needed. Overall, the use of EPA for eye health is scientifically plausible, especially in the context of anti-inflammatory effects, but the clinical evidence is moderate and not definitive for all eye conditions. EPA is not a cure-all, but may be useful as part of a broader strategy for supporting ocular surface health.
Other ingredients that support Eyes
3,3'-dihydroxy-B-carotene-4,4'-dioneAcetyl L-carnitine
Alchornea
Algae
algal oil
Alpha-carotene
anchovies
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
apricot
Aronia melanocarpa
astaxanthin
avocado
barbary matrimony vine
bee products
Beef liver
berry
beta-carotene
beta-zeacarotene
bilberry
bioflavonoids
black currant
blackberry
Blakeslea trispora
blueberry
broccoli
calamari oil
cantaloupe
capsanthin
Carnosine
carotene (unspecified)
carrot
Celosia
chickweed
Chinese Ligustrum berry
chrysanthemum
citicoline
cocklebur
cod liver oil
cornflower
Cornus
crocetin
crocin
Crypthecodinium
cryptoxanthin
currant
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
Dunaliella salina
egg
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
ergothioneine
Eyebright
Fagopyrum
fat liver oil
fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
fish
fish oil
flavoglycosides
flavonoids
flavonols
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Gac
gamma-carotene
ginkgo flavone glycoside
Glutathione
goji berry
gooseberry
Haematococcus pluvialis
haliotis
herbal blend (proprietary)
huckleberry
hyaluronic acid
Idebenone
kale
L-carnosine
L-taurine
Ligustrum
lipids
lutein
Lycium
marigold
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Melatonin
Mineral ascorbate
mixed carotenoids
Morus
Mulberry
N-Acetyl Carnosine
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
Phaffia rhodozyma
pine bark
Polygonum
polyphenols
polyunsaturated fat
proanthocyanidins
procyanidol
pumpkin
Pycnogenol
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose
rue
rutin
saffron
Salmon Oil
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Spanish Needle
spinach
Tagetes
Taurine
Tea
trace minerals
Triphala
Troxerutin
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin E
Xanthophyll
Zeaxanthin
Zinc
Other body systems supported by EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
ArteriesBlood
Brain
Circulatory System
Eyes
Heart
Immune System
Intestinal System
Joints
Liver
Lungs
Prostaglandins
Reproductive System
Respiratory System
Skin
Products containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
Thorne
Advanced DHA
Vitabase
Complete Essential Fatty Acids
Pure Encapsulations
DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
EFA Essentials
Pure Encapsulations
Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Vitabase
EPA / DHA Omega-3
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA with Lemon
Pure Encapsulations
EPA Ultimate
Klean Athlete
Klean Omega ™
Douglas Laboratories
Krill Oil
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Metagenics
MetaKids DHA
Pure Encapsulations
NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Omega
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Omega
Thorne
Omega-3 w/ CoQ10
Thorne
Omega Superb Lemon Berry
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Algae EPA-DHA 300 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA DHA 2400 Fish Oil
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 300 Lemon Lime
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA 1200 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil Mega 10®
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Neuro 1000 mg
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po Liquid
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Liquid
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ TG1000
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra DHA
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra with Vitamin D3, K1 and K2
Douglas Laboratories
Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
Douglas Laboratories
Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
Metagenics
PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Thorne
Prenatal DHA
Pure Encapsulations
Pro-Resolve Omega
Thorne
Pro-Resolving Mediators
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega HP
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Liquid
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Ultra HP
Pure Encapsulations
PureNutrients EPA/DHA
Douglas Laboratories
QÜELL® FISH OIL DHA Ultra SPM
Douglas Laboratories
QUELL Fish Oil ® - EPA/DHA Plus D
Metagenics
SPM Active
Thorne
Super EPA
Thorne
Super EPA NSF
Thorne
Super EPA Pro
Vitabase
Super Omega-3
Pure Encapsulations
Ultra Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Designs For Health
XanthOmega™ Krill Oil
