Findings Suggest Potential Role for Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Limiting POAG

Plasma levels can be studied to determine whether trace elements have an effect on human health or not. This allows researchers to investigate potential treatment options for patients suffering from diseases associated with the cardiovascular system, such as primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, a new study expanded upon the current understanding of the relationship between particular polyunsaturated fatty acids and this progressive optic neuropathy. Patients with a high genetic risk for primary open-angle glaucoma may be at a lower risk for this chronic ocular disease if their plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels are high, researchers suggested. Photo: Michael Chaglasian, OD. Click image to enlarge. Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to reduced glaucoma risk by some studies but not others. The current study, using data from the UK Biobank, compared baseline data from 2006-2010 in those without glaucoma with observations made in December 2022. POAG polygenic risk scores and plasma fatty acid measurements were analyzed.Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated to determine the risk of developing POAG in relation to omega-3 fatty acids and a specific type of this healthy fat, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Researchers reported that each unit increment (mmol/L) in plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid level reduced the risk of developing glaucoma by 39% (HR=0.6). Regarding DHA, results were “borderline” significant, with an HR of 0.4 reported.Polygenic risk scores were used to assess the effect omega-3 fatty acids have on the genetic risk of developing POAG. Scores were divided into three groups to distinguish between lower, intermediate and higher genetic risks. Subjects in the higher genetic risk group with higher plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid levels were significantly associated with lower risk of POAG (HR=0.6). No significance was discovered in the lower and intermediate groups.“Despite the strengths of our study, several limitations should be acknowledged,” wrote the authors in their paper. “One notable constraint is the inability to assess the association between eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), another important omega-3 fatty acid, and primary open-angle glaucoma owing to the unavailability of plasma EPA data in the UK Biobank. Given the distinct biological properties and potential health benefits of EPA, its role in primary open-angle glaucoma prevention warrants further investigation.”Another limitation included overlooking demographic factors such as race and ethnicity. Additionally, researchers suggested in their study that plasma levels did not alter over time; however, these measurements were taken at baseline, and levels could have possibly fluctuated over time. Furthermore, researchers believe they may have misclassified undiagnosed glaucoma cases or those diagnosed in private care settings since their observations were based off hospital data.“These findings suggest a possible role for omega-3 fatty acids in lowering the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma, particularly among individuals with high genetic susceptibility,” concluded the authors. “However, given the potential for residual confounding and inconsistent cross-sectional findings, further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm this relationship.” Click here for the journal source. Kai JY, Dong XX, Li DL, et al. Association of plasma omega-3 fatty acids with POAG. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2025;66:12:3.This article was developed by the editorial staff in conjunction with experts in the field. In the process, AI may have been among the editorial tools used to meet the goals of human editors, who approved all content.