Eating more fish, olive oil and nuts shows promising results in cutting the risk of developing the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.

Nearly 2 million Americans 55 and older suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with 200,000 per year suffering significant vision loss, according to Vanderbilt Eye Institute (VEI) experts. By the year 2020, an estimated 3 million Americans will suffer vision loss from advanced disease.

Franco Recchia, M.D., associate professor and chief of the retina division at VEI,  says results from one of the first large-scale studies on AMD risks and omega-3 fatty acids suggests that incorporating healthy fats into the diet can reduce the risk of developing the retina-destroying -- and life-changing -- condition.

“For quite some time, it has been suggested that diet plays a role in protecting vision,” Recchia says. “But what is important here is the fact that there were enough patients enrolled in a study, and enough patients were followed for a sufficiently long time to address a possible link between diet and the risk of AMD.”

According to recent findings, Jennifer Tan, M.D., and colleagues from the University of Sydney found people who ate a weekly serving of fish were 31 percent less likely to develop early AMD, while those eating a couple of servings of nuts each week reduced the risk by 35 percent.

Results from a similar study led by Elaine Chong, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Melbourne showed that patients consuming the most omega-3 fatty acids had a 15 percent lower risk of early-stage AMD.

The retina specialists of VEI treat hundreds of patients with AMD, one of the institute’s primary research interests. It is one of only three centers in Tennessee participating in a recent clinical trial called AREDS 2, which pits omega-3 fatty acids and/or lutein and zeaxanthin against standard supplements.

“It is important to have evidence so that we are able to counsel our patients either way,” says Recchia. “AMD is a growing cause of vision loss and blindness in an ever growing segment of our population.”

Contact: Laurie Holloway, (615) 322-4747
laurie.e.holloway@vanderbilt.edu