Fish, Your Vision, and Macular Degeneration

Fish, Your Vision, and Macular Degeneration Frank Barnhill M.D.

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As we age, certain changes occur in our eyes that may have negative effects on our vision. As we get older, most of us will notice we’re getting a little more farsighted and have to hold the newspaper further away to read it or just can’t focus up
close as when we were younger. This condition is called presbyopia and occurs due to a natural change in the shape of the lenses or focusing parts in our eyes. Rarely does this cause any problem other than having to change glasses prescription every couple of years.

Unfortunately, another condition of aging called age related macular degeneration (AMD), can cause blindness due to destruction of the part of the eye responsible for collecting most of the images of what we see. AMD is not easily treated and the resulting blindness is usually permanent. Even early in the disease, most affected people can no longer drive, may have problems reading, and as the disease progresses they may develop total loss of vision.

In an on going study of almost 5000 patients ages 50 to 80, the “Age Related Eye Disease Study” (AREDS), there also appears to be an association between the presence and severity of AMD and development of heart and vascular diseases. It seems that persons who develop AMD have a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and complications of small blood vessel diseases.

Now, the good news is … Data obtained from the AREDS study also shows that eating fish more than once a week is associated with about a 36% decrease in the risk of developing vascular age related macular degeneration. Participant’s diets were studied and found to be high in the Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and other marine foods. On the average, they were eating two or more meals of broiled or baked fish and seafood products per week.

Participants in this study also took daily dietary supplements that included high levels of the anti-oxidant vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, as well as the minerals zinc and copper.

Interestingly, taking zinc alone decreased the risk of AMD by
almost 2 7%. Due to concerns about lung cancer and the use of
beta-carotene in smokers, some persons elected to eliminate that
supplement and thus had a slightly higher overall risk.

In contrast, participants who consumed large amounts of red meat, which is high in Omega-6-arachadonic acid fatty acids, had a 54 % increase in risk of developing vascular AMD when compared to those that ate little red meat and large amounts of fish. These person’s diets were also more likely to be lacking fish, zinc and the anti-oxidant vitamins.

Omega-3 fatty acids are available over the counter in fish oil gel-caps for those who don’t have the taste for fish. It is always wise to buy a high quality brand as some fish oil products contain little of these beneficial fatty acids and a lot of other components from fish that may not be beneficial.

The lesson to be learned here is that not only can you help avoid developing age related macular degeneration blindness by eating a good diet and taking vitamin and mineral supplements, but you can also significantly decrease your risk of a heart attack and stroke while doing so!

Dr. Frank

These health tips are offered for your common sense use and are not intended to take the place of a visit to your doctor. Your use of the materials implies your understanding that nothing herein contained represents individual medical advice.

drhuggiebear, drhuggiebear.com and contained materials are the copyrighted and/or registered properties of Frank Barnhill, M.D. and may not be reproduced for profit without the express written permission of the author. All materials may be photocopied in whole for educational use. For information please contact us at drfrank@drhuggiebear.com.

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