This study was a prospective study using a detailed food frequency questionnaire. A total of 39, 876 female health professionals, with an average age of 54.6 were enrolled in the Women’s Health Study. A total of 38,022 women completed the questionnaire and were free of a diagnosis of age related macular degeneration (AMD). The main outcome measure was incident AMD and a reduction of vision to 20/30 or worse.
A total of 235 cases of AMD were confirmed during an average of 10 years of follow-up. Regular intake of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in fish oil supplements and dietary fish was associated with a significantly decreased risk of AMD in women.
Commentary
Approximately 9 million adults in the U.S. over 40 have AMD. Another 7 plus million have early AMD with moderate or no vision loss but does in fact increase the risk of advancing to AMD. These prospective data indicate that fish oil supplementation and/or increased fish consumption of even just once per week may be a primary prevention strategy for AMD.
Reference
William G. Christen, ScD; Debra A., et al. Dietary omega-3 fatty acid and fish intake and incident age-related macular degeneration in women. Arch Ophthalmol. 2011;129(7):921-929
