
Nutritional supplements may assist with some common, minor eye surgery side effects or complications:
Omega-3 fatty acids: These essential fatty acids found in fish, borage and flaxseed oil may be especially helpful after eye surgery. Omega-3s modulate the body's inflammatory response, promoting comfort after surgery. They also support healthy tear production, which may assist with common eye surgery side effects such as dry eye and eye floaters.
Vitamin D: Eye surgery can sometimes cause photophobia, an extreme sensitivity to bright light. Individuals struggling with this issue may avoid sunlight altogether, which may diminish their levels of the "sunshine vitamin," Vitamin D. Nutritional supplementation can maintain healthy vitamin D levels for those who are sensitive to sunlight after eye surgery.
Phospholipids: Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and sphingomyelin are a class of proteins known as polar phospholipids that are available in dietary supplement form. Phospholipids are known for optimizing the eye's three tear film layers, a benefit that may be helpful to those that experience dry eye after surgery, or who simply wish to promote an optimally hydrated eye health environment for healing the cornea.
Turmeric: This spice that gives curry its yellow color has been shown to have significant inflammation-modulating properties that may help to promote tear production and eye comfort after surgery.
Lutein and zeaxanthin: Foundation nutrients for overall eye health, these plant-based antioxidant carotenoids help to minimize oxidative stress on the eye's delicate tissues after surgery.
Phytosterols and mucin: These plant-based nutritional compounds optimize tear production and support eye tissue health, and may assist with the dry eye symptoms, eye floaters and tear film issues some individuals experience after eye surgery.