Dietary Changes Benefit Macular Degeneration

Older people who eat high fat diets may be putting themselves at increased risk for the leading cause of blindness among the elderly.

That’s the finding from a new study on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a progressive eye disease common in people over age 60. Health officials say about 8 million people have the intermediate stage of the disease. About 1.3 million will go on to develop the advanced stage and significant vision loss. Six percent to 8 percent of people over age 75 are afflicted with the advanced form of the condition.

In this study, investigators from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston looked at the effect of dietary fat intake on progression of the disease. The research involved 261 patients who already had signs of the condition in at least one of their eyes. All filled out detailed questionnaires on food intake on a regular basis over about five years.

Results showed people who ate more fatty foods were significantly more likely to progress to the advanced stage of AMD. People who ate the highest amounts of animal fat were two-times more likely to progress as those who ate the lowest amounts. Those who consumed the most vegetable fat had nearly a four-times increased risk. Eating more fish was associated with a lower risk of AMD progression, as was the consumption of nuts.

Investigators conclude, “A substantial number of people may benefit from raising awareness about the importance of a healthy, fat conscious diet as a means of maintaining good eye health, as well as cardiovascular health, in later years.”

SOURCE: Archives of Ophthalmology, 2003;121:1728-1737