Evidence supporting the use of: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
For the body system: Eyes

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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.

More about EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
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Other ingredients that support Eyes

Acetyl L-carnitine
algal oil
Alpha-carotene
anchovies
anthocyanins
apricot
astaxanthin
berry flavor
beta-carotene
bilberry
black currant
blackberry
blueberry
broccoli
calamari oil
carrot
citicoline
cryptoxanthin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fish oil
flavonols
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gooseberry
hyaluronic acid
hypromellose
kale
L-carnosine
L-taurine
lutein
mannitol
Marine lipid
Melatonin
mixed carotenoids
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
pine bark
pumpkin
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rutin
saffron
spinach
Triphala
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin E
Water
Mulberry
Zeaxanthin
Zinc
chickweed
Morus
chrysanthemum
haliotis
polyphenols
trace minerals
goji berry
herbal blend (proprietary)
Algae
3,3'-dihydroxy-B-carotene-4,4'-dione
Aronia melanocarpa
Alchornea
avocado
anthocyanidins
anthocyanosides
beta-zeacarotene
Beef liver
Blakeslea trispora
berry
bioflavonoids
bee products
barbary matrimony vine
crocin
Carnosine
cod liver oil
cyanidin
cornflower
cantaloupe
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Cornus
carotene (unspecified)
crocetin
cocklebur
Crypthecodinium
Celosia
capsanthin
currant
Dunaliella salina
docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
egg
ergothioneine
Eyebright
eicosapentaenoic acid
fruit
flavonoids
fat liver oil
fish
fatty acids
Fagopyrum
flavoglycosides
fibroblast growth factor
Gac
ginkgo flavone glycoside
Glutathione
gamma-carotene
Haematococcus pluvialis
huckleberry
Idebenone
Lycium
Ligustrum
lipids
Mineral ascorbate
Marine fat
marigold
N-Acetyl Carnosine
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Phaffia rhodozyma
procyanidol
proanthocyanidins
polyunsaturated fat
Pycnogenol
Polygonum
rue
rose
Schizochytrium Oil
Spanish Needle
Schizochytrium
Salmon Oil
Tea
Troxerutin
Taurine
Tagetes
Xanthophyll

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