GOT OMEGA-3?

* A compound containing highly concentrated Omega-3, acetyl-L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 provides a statistically significant improvement in visual function to patients in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration, a study says.

The compound, Phototrop, by Sigma-Tau HealthScience, Inc., was tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study over a period of 12 months. The findings were reported at the recent Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting. Phototrop is currently available only in Italy, but the company is investigating options for U.S. distribution.

Another study presented at ARVO indicated that Omega-3 oils found in flaxseed and fish decreased the risk of developing Dry Eye Syndrome. Researchers interviewed 32,470 female health professionals aged 45 to 84 years who gave information on diet and diagnosis of dry eye. Omega-3s are deficient in the typical American diet, claims Advanced Vision Research, maker of TheraTears. The company's founder, Jeffrey P. Gilbard, M.D., was one of the study's investigators.