Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Fish Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
December 2, 2010
The December 2010 issue of Ophthalmology reports on a study of 2520 residents of Salisbury, Maryland, aged 65 to 84 years to determine the relationship between fish and shellfish consumption and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
A food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate weekly fish/shellfish consumption for each participant. Age-related macular degeneration status was determined from fundus photographs obtained at baseline and graded by 2 masked readers for drusen size, retinal pigment epithelium abnormalities, geographic atrophy (GA), and choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
The study found that those with advanced AMD (CNV or GA) were significantly less likely to consume fish/shellfish high in omega-3 fatty acids, thus supporting a conclusion that more frequent intake of fish/shellfish high in omega-3’s can protect against advanced AMD (note: Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in high concentrations in the retina of the eye).
Click here for the abstract and for access to the full text of the study.
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