Which statement about topical omega-3 therapy in humans is supported by the data?

• A. Oral Omegas have a consistent beneficial impact.
• B. Topical omega-3 in humans increases tear breakup time and improves comfort and meibomian gland dysfunction scores.
• C. Canine fatty-acid cream worsened ocular surface inflammation.
• D. Mineral oil-based topical products have strong efficacy.

Answer: (B)

Topical omega-3 therapy can directly influence the ocular surface by delivering fatty acids to the tear film and lid margins, supporting the lipid layer and reducing lid-margin inflammation. In human studies, formulations containing topical omega-3 have been linked to longer tear breakup time, improved subjective comfort, and better meibomian gland dysfunction scores. This combination shows that when omega-3s are applied topically, they can stabilize the tear film and improve clinical signs and symptoms of MGD.

Oral omega-3s, while studied, have mixed results and are not about topical therapy, so they don’t support the statement about topical treatment. Findings in dogs or references to mineral oil–based products don’t align with human topical omega-3 data, so they aren’t the basis for this conclusion.