Written from the studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11.. Every number below comes from a study listed under Sources.
The claim
Posts online say that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helps with retinitis pigmentosa.
Where research stands
We found 19 published papers on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and retinitis pigmentosa. They were published between 1990 and 2020. 8 of them are studies in people. 7 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 2 were studies in animals, and none was only in cells in the lab. 4 papers are reviews that sum up other studies.
- 8In people7 with a comparison group
- 2In animals
- 0Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) has been tested in randomised trials in people with retinitis pigmentosa.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Docosahexaenoic Acid Slows Visual Field Progression in X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa: Ancillary Outcomes of the DHAX Trial.2015 · Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · Randomised trial
- Safety assessment of docosahexaenoic acid in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa: the 4-year DHAX trial.2014 · Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · Randomised trial
- Four-year placebo-controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (DHAX trial): a randomized clinical trial.2014 · JAMA Ophthalmol · Randomised trial
- Further evaluation of docosahexaenoic acid in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A treatment: subgroup analyses.2004 · Arch Ophthalmol · Randomised trial
- Clinical trial of docosahexaenoic acid in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A treatment.2004 · Arch Ophthalmol · Randomised trial
- A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.2004 · Am J Ophthalmol · Randomised trial
- Biological safety assessment of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in a randomized clinical trial for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.2003 · Arch Ophthalmol · Randomised trial
- Docosahexaenoic acid and retinal function in children with long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.1999 · J Inherit Metab Dis · Study in people
- The evidence for efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing or slowing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa: a systematic review.2006 · Can J Ophthalmol · Review
- A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.2005 · Retina · Review
- Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on eye health.2005 · Evid Rep Technol Assess (Summ) · Review
- Omega 3 fatty acid status in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.1998 · World Rev Nutr Diet · Review
- Docosahexaenoic acid phospholipid differentially modulates the conformation of G90V and N55K rhodopsin mutants associated with retinitis pigmentosa.2017 · Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr · In animals
- Low docosahexaenoic acid levels in rod outer segment membranes of mice with rds/peripherin and P216L peripherin mutations.2001 · Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · In animals
- [Influence of docosahexaenoic acid treatment on visual acuity, visual field and bioelectric potential of the retina in patients with retinitis pigmentosa].2020 · Vestn Oftalmol · Other paper
- Metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.1995 · Exp Eye Res · Other paper
- Docosahexaenoic acid in red blood cells of patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.1995 · Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · Other paper
- Plasma docosahexaenoic acid levels in various genetic forms of retinitis pigmentosa.1992 · Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · Other paper
