Salmon gravlax

Have you ever considered that your diet could help your dry eye?

Certain foods are beneficial for dry eye, due to their levels of vitamins or omega-3.

In this new episode of Coup d’œil en cuisine (“All Eyes on the Kitchen”), Michelin-starred chef Antoine Gras and Dr Doan, an ophthalmologist specialising in dry eye at the Rothschild Foundation and Bichat Hospital in Paris, show us how to make salmon gravlax.

Have you ever taken any dietary supplements containing omega-3? Well, you can also opt for recipes with foods that contain it!

Salmon is packed full of polyunsaturated omega-3s, which have anti-inflammatory effects and help keep the tear film functioning properly. Omega-3 does not only have a positive effect on dry eye: it also supports the retina by preventing certain diseases such as macular degeneration (the ageing of the retina).

There are many factors that lead to dry eye, but the main ones remain a lack of tears and a lack of oil in tears. To understand dry eye, it is important to consider the composition of tears. Tears consist of three layers, known as the tear film: a lipid layer (oil), an aqueous layer (water) and a mucin layer (adhesive). It is the oil that stops the tears evaporating, resulting in better quality tears.

Let’s talk avocado. Avocado is an ingredient that contains high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants have an important role to play in dry eye, because oxidation damages the fats found in tears. This is why avocado is beneficial in combating dry eye.

It’s important to remember that focusing on what makes you happy is key, as patients with dry eye can feel down. Staying positive helps fight dry eye by triggering anti-inflammatory mechanisms. So you need to eat well in order to be happy and have less dry eye!

Focus: salmon and omega-3

• Omega-3s are fatty acids that keep the tears supplied with lipids (ALA, DHA, EPA)
• Daily DHA intake (adult): 250 mg (0.25 g)
• 1 g DHA per 100 g salmon

Ingredients:

• 1 x 400-g salmon steak
• 1 kg coarse salt
• 300 g sugar
• 2 bunches of dill
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• Pink peppercorns
• Black peppercorns
• 2 avocados

Recipe:

Step 1:

Mix together the salt, sugar, chopped dill, pink peppercorns and lemon and lime zest.

Step 2:

Cover the salmon steak with the spice mixture and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Step 3:

Cut the salmon and avocado into slices. Arrange in a rose shape.