Dry eye supplements are capsules you swallow every day, usually omega-3 from fish oil, sometimes with omega-6 from borage oil and a few vitamins. They sit alongside your drops, lid care and warm compresses. They do not replace them.
Here’s what the research says, what to look for on the label, and how much to buy.
What is in a dry eye supplement?
Most dry eye supplements are built on two kinds of fatty acid.
- Omega-3 EPA and DHA, from fish oil. This is the main ingredient in most of them.
- Omega-6 GLA, usually from borage oil or evening primrose oil.
Some add vitamin D3 or vitamin E. Some add flaxseed oil, which gives you ALA, a plant omega-3 that is listed separately from EPA and DHA in the Australian Nutrient Reference Values.
Do omega-3 supplements help dry eyes? What the research says
A large 2018 trial found fish oil did no better than an olive oil placebo. The reviews since then, which pool many trials, are more encouraging.
- A 2023 review of eight trials and 1,107 people found omega-3 supplements improved dry eye symptoms. It found no clear change in the clinical eye tests.
- Another 2023 review found symptoms improved more with higher daily doses, longer use and a higher share of EPA.
- A 2026 review of 27 trials found the results depended on what was causing the dry eye, and recommended personal advice from a health professional.
On average, people in these trials reported fewer symptoms, longer use was linked to bigger changes, and the results were not the same for every cause of dry eye. That is why your optometrist or GP is the right person to ask whether a supplement fits your situation.
How to read a dry eye supplement label
The number on the front of a fish oil bottle is usually the total fish oil, not the omega-3 you are after. Turn it over and look for these.
- EPA and DHA per capsule. Add them together. That is the figure to compare between brands.
- The daily dose. A capsule with less EPA and DHA can still add up if you take more of them, so compare the amount per day, not per capsule.
- Anything extra. Vitamin D3, vitamin E or borage oil can be a plus, or something to check if you already take them.
- Pack size. Work out how many days one pack lasts at the starting dose.
The dry eye supplements we stock
DRYeye Forte
Each capsule has 240 mg EPA, 160 mg DHA, borage oil 455 mg, vitamin D3 200 IU and vitamin E 40 IU. The starting dose is three capsules a day with meals for 6 to 8 weeks, then two or three a day. It comes in packets of 60 capsules. See DRYeye Forte.
Lacritec
Each capsule has 134 mg EPA and 66.8 mg DHA from fish oil, plus flaxseed oil (192 mg ALA) and borage oil (95.5 mg GLA). No vitamin D3 or vitamin E. The starting dose is three capsules a day with meals for 6 weeks, then two or three a day. It comes in bottles of 200 capsules. See Lacritec.
Trying to pick between the two? Our Lacritec vs DRYeye Forte comparison lines them up label against label.
How long to take dry eye supplements, and how much to buy
Both brands start you on three capsules a day for six weeks or more, then drop to two or three a day, so plan for the full starting course from day one.
- DRYeye Forte: 126 to 168 capsules for the starting course. One packet of 60 will not cover it. The 3 packet option gives you 180 capsules, and the price per packet drops on 6 and 12 packets.
- Lacritec: one bottle of 200 covers the six-week start. The Lacritec Twin Pack covers the start plus about four and a half more months at two a day.
Then keep going with the daily dose. A multi-pack is the easy way to avoid running out and missing days.
Can I just take supermarket fish oil for dry eyes?
You can, and some people do. Use the same label check. Add up the EPA and DHA per capsule, multiply by how many you would take a day, and compare that with a dry eye supplement. Then look at what else is in it, such as borage oil or vitamin D3.
What a dry eye formula adds is the borage oil or vitamins in the mix, and dosing on the label made for dry eyes. Whether that is worth it comes down to the label maths.
Eye vitamins vs dry eye supplements: they are not the same thing
“Eye vitamins” usually means the AREDS2 formula: vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and copper. These are made for macular health, not dry eyes, and they contain no omega-3.
The US National Eye Institute says AREDS and AREDS2 supplements reduced the risk of intermediate macular degeneration progressing to the advanced stage by about 25 per cent. It also says they do not prevent it starting and do not help cataracts. Current and former smokers should choose AREDS2, not the older formula with beta-carotene.
We stock two AREDS2-based supplements, MDEyes and Macutec Once Daily. Both are one capsule a day. Ask your optometrist whether they suit your eyes before you start.
Who should check with a doctor before taking a dry eye supplement
- Anyone on a blood-thinning medicine such as warfarin. The DRYeye Forte product information notes that high doses of omega-3, omega-6 and vitamin E may increase bleeding risk.
- Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. DRYeye Forte is not recommended during pregnancy.
- Anyone under 18, for DRYeye Forte.
- Anyone already taking vitamin D, who should count the vitamin D3 in DRYeye Forte.
Read the label of whichever product you choose, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
Dry eye supplements alongside drops, lid care and heat
A supplement is the slow, daily part of a dry eye routine. Most routines also include:
- Lubricating eye drops from our eye drops range, such as Hylo-Forte.
- A daily eyelid clean from our lid care range.
- A warm compress or heated eye mask from our eye masks and compresses.
See a doctor or optometrist if your eyes are painful or red, your vision changes, or nothing is improving. Healthdirect has more on when to get your eyes checked.
Dry eye supplement questions
How long do dry eye supplements take?
Both brands we stock set a starting course of six weeks or more at three capsules a day. Give it that long before you decide.
Can I take a dry eye supplement and eye vitamins together?
They contain different things, but both can include vitamin E, so add up the totals and check with your pharmacist or optometrist first.
Is omega-3 or omega-6 better for dry eyes?
The reviews above looked at omega-3, so that is where the research is. Many dry eye formulas also add omega-6 GLA from borage oil, so check the label for both.
Do I need to keep taking dry eye supplements?
Both brands move to a lower daily dose after the starting course. How long to keep going is a question for your optometrist or GP.
Buy dry eye supplements online in Australia
We ship anywhere in Australia. For the starting course, DRYeye Forte needs at least 3 packets. One Lacritec bottle covers the start, and the Twin Pack covers about six months.
- DRYeye Forte, 60 capsules a packet, with 3, 6 and 12 packet options
- Lacritec Twin Pack, 400 capsules
- Lacritec, 200 capsules
Browse all eye supplements or the full dry eye range.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.
