Omega-3 acids can decrease the risk of retinal diseases

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have been found to play an important role in protecting cells in the retina from degenerative diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of loss of vision in those older than 65.

Australian studies have shown that eating fish twice a week was associated with a reduced risk of both early and late AMD.

In degenerative eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration, photoreceptor cells break down and die. This cell death is mostly attributed to exposure to potentially damaging sunlight and high oxygen tension.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the retina carry the Omega-3 fatty acid that combats cell damage. The RPE absorbs and stores the Omega-3, found in cold water fish, whenever the fish is eaten.

Australian studies have shown that eating fish twice a week was associated with a reduced risk of both early and late AMD.

When results from multiple Australian studies were combined, a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a 38 percent reduction in the risk of the more advanced cases of AMD, while eating fish twice a week was associated with a reduced risk of both early and late AMD.

So speak with your doctor about it, then make an effort to include foods rich in Omega-3 oils into your diet. Your eyes will thank you.

Update: New data from the AREDS 2 study came out in May, 2013 that may indicate that Omega-3 fatty acids may NOT reduce the progression of macular degeneration. Further inspection of the ARED 2’s huge amounts of data are underway. Stay updated by bookmarking our Retina News Home Page and visiting MaculaCenter.com site frequently.