Inflammation, oxidative stress, pathological neovascularization, and apoptosis of retinal nerve cells play an important role in the development of retinal diseases. They are common pathogenic mechanisms in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LC-PUFAs), as important components of the retina, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects, inhibit neovascularization, and promote neuronal cell survival. ω-3 LC-PUFAs and their derivatives are involved in many processes in the prevention and treatment of retinal diseases, and deeper investigation of their relationship with pathological mechanisms may provide potential targets for treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the therapeutic mechanisms of ω-3 LC-PUFAs and their derivatives in retinal diseases and the current research progress, with the aim of providing new therapeutic directions for retinal diseases with similar pathogenesis.

long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; age-related macular degeneration; diabetic retinopathy; retinitis pigmentosa; retinopathy of prematurity; pathological neovascularization