Individuals who have higher dietary intake of foods with omega-3 fatty acids and higher fish consumption have a reduced risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration, while those with higher serum levels of Vitamin D may have a reduced risk of the early stages of the disease.

Age-related macular degeneration ( AMD ) occurs when the macula, the area at the back of the retina that produces the sharpest vision, deteriorates over time. It is the most common cause of blindness among older adults in the United States, affecting more than 7 million individuals older than 40 years.
The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration is likely to increase as the population ages. There is currently no known way to prevent the condition, but research has begun to identify potentially modifiable risk factors and nutrient-based treatments.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group assessed 4,519 individuals who were age 60 to 80 when they enrolled in 1992 through 1998. At that time, photographs were taken of their retinas to determine if they had age-related macular degeneration, and if so, to which of four stages the condition had progressed. The participants also completed a food frequency questionnaire that measured how often they consumed foods rich in certain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids commonly found in tuna, salmon and other fish.

A total of 1,115 participants did not have any symptoms of age-related macular degeneration at the beginning of the study, and were compared with those who did, including 658 individuals with neovascular ( severe ) age-related macular degeneration. " Dietary total omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake was inversely associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, as was docosahexaenoic acid, " or DHA, a fatty acid that previous evidence suggests affects the retina, the authors write. " Higher fish consumption, both total and broiled/baked, was also inversely associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration." Eating more than two medium ( 4-ounce ) servings of fish per week or more than one medium serving of broiled or baked fish was associated with the lowest risk for advanced age-related macular degeneration.

Omega-3 fatty acids may influence processes involved in the development of blood vessel– and nerve-related diseases of the retina, the authors write. For instance, DHA may protect the retina by influencing which genes turn on and off, while fatty acids overall may eventually form compounds that promote cell survival and proper blood vessel function, reduce inflammation and maintain energy balance.

" These results and those from other observational analytic investigations suggest that modifying diet to include more foods rich in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids could result in a reduction in the risk of having neovascular age-related macular degeneration," the authors conclude. Clinical trials would provide further information about whether diet changes or supplements could prevent the development of advanced age-related macular degeneration.

In a related study, Niyati Parekh, of the University of the Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and colleagues analyzed data from 7,752 individuals ( including 11 percent with age-related macular degeneration ) who were part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a large study designed to represent the entire U.S. population. Participants were enrolled in the study between 1988 and 1994. They had physical examinations that included blood and urine samples, photographs of the retinas, and interviews and questionnaires regarding sociodemographics, lifestyle habits and food intake.

" Levels of serum vitamin D were inversely associated with early but not advanced age-related macular degeneration," the authors write. When participants were split into five groups based on level of Vitamin-D in the blood, those in the highest group had a 40 percent lower risk of early AMD than those in the lowest group. " Milk intake was inversely associated with early age-related macular degeneration. Fish intake was inversely associated with advanced age-related macular degeneration."

Vitamin D may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration by reducing inflammation or by preventing the growth of new blood vessels in the retina, which contributes to some forms of age-related macular degeneration , the authors speculate. " This study provides evidence that Vitamin D may protect against age-related macular degeneration," the authors conclude. " However, at this time there is insufficient epidemiologic evidence of the relationship between Vitamin D level and age-related macular degeneration to make recommendations regarding optimum serum Vitamin D levels or milk and fish intake to protect against age-related macular degeneration or its progression. The results of the present research warrant further investigation for confirmation of the vitamin D-AMD association in other population studies. "

Source: Archives of Ophthalmology, 2007

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