the present invention provides relief of dry eye symptoms with an inventive combination of natural ingredients that perform synergistically . the combination improves dry eye syndrome by : replenishing the inner mucus layer of the tear film with mucin and the outer fatty lipid layer with phytosterols ; reduction of lacrimal gland inflammation , resulting in improved tear production and reduced tear film surface tension with a blend of dha and epa omega 3 essential fatty acids , ala omega 3 , gla omega 6 , lactoferrin , vitamin e mixed tocopherol oils , and circumin ( a the natural cox2 inhibitor ); and improved tear film stability with polar phospholipids , phosphatidyl ethanolamine , phosphatidyl serine , and sphingomyelin . furthermore , the present invention provides a method for the treatment of the symptoms related to “ vitreous opacities , ” commonly known as “ specks in the eye ” or “ eye floaters ,” through stabilization of the tear film with the composition of the present invention . the method of manufacturing the composition of the present invention includes procedures that one skilled in the art of good manufacturing procedure ( gmp ) and production of high quality pharmaceutical formulations would use . the method comprises blending together each of the following ingredients : vitamin c , vitamin e , vitamin b - 6 , copper , alpha linolenic acid , docosahexaenoic acid , eicosapentanoic acid , gamma linolenic acid , lactoferrin , mucin complex , phosphatidylethanolamine , phosphatidylserine , phytosterols , sphingomyelin , and turmeric extract into a suitable dosage form and in appropriate quantities . the method includes the use of know and conventional manufacturing excipients , e . g ., flavorants , preservatives , stabilizers , and the like . according to one embodiment of the present invention , the preparation is preferably administered as two capsules twice daily with meals . however , it should be understood that the word “ composition ,” “ preparation ” or “ formulation ” as used herein is intended to refer collectively to these ingredients ( i . e ., components or compounds ) and amounts whether taken separately by a patient or whether included in a single capsule or other ingestible medium . suitable dosage forms include all dosage forms know in the art , such as , for example , capsules , tablets , liquids , sublingual forms and the like . the terms “ ingredient ,” “ component ” and “ compound ,” as understood herein , refer to the pharmacologically active antioxidants and micronutrients and substances that comprise the composition of the invention . the phrase “ effective amount ” is used throughout the specification to describe concentrations or amounts of the component ingredients according to the present invention which may be used to produce a favorable change in the symptomology , disease or condition treated , whether that change is a decrease in or reversal of the effects of symptomology or disease state depending upon the disease state or condition treated . in the present invention , in preferred aspects , an effective amount is that amount which is used to treat the symptomology associated with dry eye syndrome and vitreous opacities . the total daily effective treatment / prevention amount can be administered in one capsule or dosage form , or preferably in divided doses or multiple capsules , which in total , deliver the effective amount of the composition of the present invention . in one embodiment of the present invention , a preparation for treating dry eye syndrome , the preparation of the invention includes the following components : ( typical distribution : b - sitosterol 40 - 58 %, campesterol 20 - 30 %, stigmasterol 14 - 22 %, brassicasterol 0 - 6 %, sitostanol 0 - 5 %) according to one specific embodiment of the present invention , the preparation is administered as four ( 4 ) gelcaps daily in divided doses with meals ( it should be understood that the word “ composition ,” “ preparation ” or “ formulation ” as used herein is intended to refer collectively to these substances and amounts whether taken separately by a patient or whether included in a single capsule or other ingestible medium ). the above is a preferred form of the treatment of the invention , but variations are possible . the above formulation addresses not only the adequate production of aqueous tears , the middle layer of a healthy tear film on the eye , but also the slippery substances which comprise the inner layer directly coating the epithelium and the outer oily layer over the aqueous tear layer , which helps prevent evaporation . the ranges indicated herein for the various components are probable approximate limits as projected from research and the applicants &# 39 ; knowledge of the functional role played by each substance . essential fatty acids are fatty acids that are required in the human diet . this means they cannot be synthesized by the body from other fatty acids and must be obtained from food or supplemental sources . omega - 3 and omega - 6 fatty acids , as well as gamma - linolenic acid ( gla ) regulate membrane fluidity and membrane function , serve as precursors to eicosanoids ( prostaglandins , thromboxanes , and leukotrienes ), exhibit enzyme - like activities , and serve as substrates for enzymes , helping to prevent the drying and atrophy of tear glands . omega - 3 fatty acid is an “ essential ” fatty acid , and in one embodiment of the invention is administered in amounts of about 500 mg daily . commercially it is derived from fish oil , microalgae , and certain plant foods such as flax seed , borage , evening primrose and currant oils . omega - 3s reduce formation of the hormonelike prostaglandins which trigger inflammatory processes . they do this by replacing excessive omega - 6 fatty acids , which readily oxidize into free radicals . pyridoxal 5 - phosphate is the active form of vitamin b6 . it is necessary for the normal activity of the enzyme delta - 6 - desaturase , which converts cis - linoleic acid to gla , and gla into the precursor of pge1 , dihomo - gamma - linolenic acid . vitamin b6 , or pyridoxal 5 - phosphate , is thus a micronutrient cofactor supporting and enhancing conversion of linoleic acid to gamma linolenic acid ( gla ). in one embodiment of the invention , vitamin b - 6 is present in the composition in an amount of from about 0 . 5 mg to about 10 mg , and in another embodiment , vitamin b - 6 is present in the composition in an amount of about 4 mg . vitamin c is required for the conversion of dihomo - gamma - linolenic acid into prostaglandin e1 , and thus is critical for tear production . ascorbic acid in tears serves an anti - flammatory role in the eye &# 39 ; s defense system . vitamin c could be replaced by another water - soluble antioxidant , but vitamin c is preferred . there is no known optimal daily dose of vitamin c , although the u . s . recommended daily allowance ( rda ) is 60 mg . however , dosages of 2 . 0 grams and more have frequently been taken as a supplement for general health . in one embodiment of the present invention , vitamin c is present in the composition in the form of ascorbic acid and in an amount of about 10 mg to about 200 mg . in another embodiment of the invention , vitamin c is present in the composition in the amount of about 60 mg . the essential fatty acids of the invention include , but are not limited linolenic acid , which is the shortest chain omega - 3 fatty acid , docosahexaenoic acid ( dha ), eicosapentanoic acid ( epa ), and linoleic acid , the shortest chain omega - 6 fatty acid . the most common fatty acids of each class are linolenic ( 18 : 3 ), epa ( 20 : 5 ), dha ( 22 : 6 ) for omega - 3 and linoleic ( 18 : 2 ) and arachidonic ( 20 : 4 ) for omega - 6 . according to one embodiment of the present invention , alpha linolenic acid is present in the composition in an amount of about 100 mg to about 1000 mg , preferably in an amount of about 500 mg . in another one embodiment of the invention , docosahexaenoic acid is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 500 mg , preferably in an amount of about 160 mg . in yet another embodiment of the invention , eicosapentanoic acid is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 500 mg , preferably in an amount of about 240 mg . still in another embodiment of the invention , gamma linolenic is present in the composition in an amount of about 100 mg to about 600 mg , preferably in an amount of about 300 mg . tocopherol , or vitamin e is a fat - soluble vitamin in eight forms that is a powerful biological antioxidant . vitamin e acts to protect cells against the effects of free radicals , which are potentially damaging by - products of the body &# 39 ; s metabolism . free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of mucosal tissue disease . vitamin c and other anti - oxidants recycle vitamin e end - products back into effective suppressors of free radicals . vitamin e exists in eight different forms or isomers , four tocopherols and tocotrienols . all isomers have a chromanol ring , with a hydroxyl group which can donate a hydrogen atom to reduce free radicals and a hydrophobic side chain which allows for penetration into biological membranes . in one embodiment of the present invention , mixed tocopherols are used in the inventive formulation for the treatment of dry - eye syndrome . in another embodiment of the present invention , vitamin e is present in the composition in an amount of about 5 iu to about 100 iu . in yet another embodiment of the invention , vitamin e is present in the composition in the amount of about 30 iu . copper is an essential trace element and micronutrient for humans and animals . in the body , copper shifts between the cuprous and the cupric forms , though the majority of the body &# 39 ; s copper is in the cupric form . the ability of copper to easily accept and donate electrons explains its important role in oxidation - reduction ( redox ) reactions and the scavenging of free radicals . copper is a critical functional component of a number of essential enzymes , known as cuproenzymes . copper is known to play an important role in the development and maintenance of immune system function , but the exact mechanism of its action is not yet known . in one embodiment of the present invention , copper is provided in the form of copper oxide in an amount of about 0 . 1 mg to about 5 mg , and preferably in an amount of about 1 mg . the pre - ocular tear film is a complex biochemical fluid produced by the lacrimal glands and epithelial cells on the ocular surface . the symptoms of dry eye syndrome may result from deficiencies and disturbances of the mucin network . for example , aqueous tear deficiencies lead to the ocular surface disorder , keratoconjunctivitis sicca ( sicca ), is a dry eye syndrome . sicca results from abnormal terminal differentiation of the ocular surface epithelium and is associated with a marked reduction in mucin production by the goblet cells . the inclusion of mucin in the preferred form of the preparation is to directly supply mucin glycoproteins for the maintenance of the mucin network layer in the tear film . the mucin preferably is from an animal source . mucins are proteins which are heavily glycosylated with glucosamine - based moieties . mucins provide protective and lubricating effects to epithelial cells , especially those of mucosal membranes . mucins have been shown to be secreted by vesicles and discharged on the surface of the conjunctival epithelium of human eyes . these mucins provide lubrication , and additionally attract and hold moisture and sebaceous material for lubrication and the corneal refraction of light . in one embodiment of the present invention , mucin complex is present in the composition in an amount of about 100 mg to about 200 mg . in another embodiment of the present invention , mucin complex is present in an amount of about 100 mg . lactoferrin is a globular protein found in many mucosal secretions such as tears . its molecular atomic mass is 80 , 000 u ( 80 kd ). this protein belongs to the transferrin family proteins ( transferrin , melanotransferrin , ovotransferin , etc .) showing a high affinity by iron ( ferric state ). lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein with antimicrobial activity ( bacteriocide , fungicide ) and is part of the innate defense proteins mainly at mucoses . this protein is present in secondary granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophils ( pmn ) and also is secreted by some acinar cells . it has been reported lactoferrin - derived peptides ( e . g . lactoferricin , kaliocin - 1 ) with antimicrobial activity . in one embodiment of the present invention , lactoferrin is present in the composition in an amount of about 5 mg to about 20 mg . in another embodiment of the present invention lactoferrin is present in an amount of about 10 mg . amphiphilic lipids , in general , and phosphatidylethanolamine , in particular , are major constituents of cell membranes . these molecules form a phospholipid bilayer with their hydrophilic ( polar ) heads facing their aqueous surroundings ( e . g ., the cytosol ) and their hydrophobic tails facing each other . suitable phospholipids include but are not limited to phosphatidylethanolamine , phosphatidylcholine , phosphatidylserine , phospatidylinositol and sphingomyelin , and the like and mixtures thereof . in one embodiment of the present invention , the phospholipids are phosphatidylethanolamines , phosphatidylserine and sphingomyelin . phospholipids are available from a variety of natural sources and may be synthesized by methods known in the art . in one embodiment of the invention , phosphatidylethanolamine is present in the composition in an amount of about 1 mg to about 10 mg , and preferably in an amount of about 5 mg . in another embodiment of the invention , phosphatidylserine is present in the composition in an amount of about 1 mg to about 20 mg , and preferably in an amount of about 20 mg . in yet another embodiment of the invention , sphingomyelin is present in the composition in an amount of about 0 . 5 mg to about 3 mg , preferably in an amount of about 1 mg . phytosterols are a group of compounds structurally very similar to cholesterol , and form a major component of melbomain gland secretions . the phytosterols occurring most frequently in the nature are sitosterol , campesterol and stigmasterol . in all phytosterol preparations sitosterol the main component , and typically have a distribution of : b - sitosterol 40 - 58 %, campesterol 20 - 30 %, stigmasterol 14 - 22 %, brassicasterol 0 - 6 %, sitostanol 0 - 5 %. the phytosterols may also use lipids as a carrier , and this may be the means by which they are absorbed by the mucosal cells of the small intestine . in one embodiment of the present invention , phytosterol is present in the composition in an amount of about 100 mg to about 1000 mg , and preferably in an amount of about 500 mg . the curcuminoids have been found to have antioxidant and anti - inflammatory activities . obtained from turmeric , which includes curcuminoids , such as curcumin ( diferuloylmethane ), desmethoxycurcumin ( hydroxycinnamoyl feruloylmethane ), and bis - desmethoxycurcumin ( dihydroxydicinnamoyl methane ) and mixtures thereof . in one embodiment of the invention , tumeric extract is present in the formulation in an amount of about 25 mg to about 150 mg . in another embodiment of the invention , tumeric extract is present in an amount of about 75 mg . the ingredients of the inventive formulation work synergistically to help replenish the inner tear layer with mucin and the outer layer with phytosterols ; add polar phospholipids , phosphatidylethanolamine , phosphatidylserine , sphingomyelin to the tear composition and thereby improve tear film stability ; and reduce lacrimal gland inflammation , resulting in improved tear production and reduced tear film surface tension . typically the composition of the present invention may include pharmaceutically acceptable components such as lactose , glucose , sucrose , corn starch , potato starch , cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate , ethyl cellulose , magnesium stearate , calcium silicate , precipitated silica , talc , fatty acids such as stearic acid , microcrystalline cellulose , carnauba wax and the like . diluents and other additives such as one or more pharmaceutically acceptable binding agents , fillers , supports , thickening agents , taste - improving agents , coloring agents , preservatives , stabilizers , regulators , emulsifiers , flow agents , absorbents , and the like or mixtures thereof may be used depending on the form of the composition employed . the formulation of the invention can be prepared by standard techniques known in the art . as appreciated by the skilled artisan , the desired processing technique will vary depending upon the exact types and amounts of ingredients present , processing temperature , and the like . the formulation of the invention may also contain flavorants such as fruit and / or other similar flavors , caramel , and the like . when present , flavorants are typically present in an amount of about 0 . 005 to about 0 . 3 mg / ml , more typically about 0 . 05 to about 0 . 1 mg / ml . the formulation of the invention optionally can also contain other ingredients such as preservatives ( e . g ., sodium benzoate , methyl paraben , ethyl paraben , propyl paraben , and the like ), stabilizers ( e . g ., ferric ammonium citrate , ferrous sulfate , and the like ), etc . having described the invention in detail , it will be apparent that numerous modifications and variations are possible . the following examples are offered only to illustrate the invention , and should not be interpreted as a limitation thereon . mucin complex ( porcine ) ( minimum 60 % mucin , a source of mucopolysaccharides ) 100 mg ( typical distribution : b - sitosterol 40 - 58 %, campesterol 20 - 30 %, stigmasterol 14 - 22 %, brassicasterol 0 - 6 %, sitostanol 0 - 5 %) 500 mg turmeric extract ( curcuma longa ) ( rhizome ) [ standardized for 95 % curcuminoids ( 71 mg )] 75 mg the composition of example 1 provides a safe and effective composition for the treatment and symptomatic relief of dry - eye syndrome (“ xerophthalmia ”) and vitreous opacities in a patient in need of such treatment . obviously , other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings . it is , therefore , to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments described above which run within the full intended scope of the invention .
a composition and method for treating dry - eye syndrome and symptoms of vitreous opacities in a host comprising the oral administration of a composition which contains a pharmacologically effective amount of essential fatty acids , polar phospholipids , vitamins , minerals and dietary supplements .