Eating Fish may boost eye health

Older adults who eat fatty fish at least once a week may have a lower risk of serious vision loss from age-related macular degeneration ( AMD) , according to a US study.
A study , reported in the journal Opthalmology also supports the theory that Omega 3 fatty acids found in most abundantly in oily fish like salmon, mackeral and albacore tuna-may affect the development or progression of AMD. Current research indicates that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk  of late AMD in some patients, more research is still necessary.

Analysed data from 2520 adults aged 65 to 84 who underwent eye exams and completed detailed dietary questionaires. Some 15% were found to have early or intermediate stage AMD while just under 3% were in the advanced stage of the disease.

Overall, researchers found that there was no clear relationship between participants' reported fish intake and risk of AMD but there was a connection between higher intake of omega 3 fish fatty and the odds of advanced AMD.

AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth behind the retina or breakdown of light-sensitive cells within the retina itself -both of which can cause serious vision impairment. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in older adults. There is no cure for it, but certain treatments may prevent or delay serious vision loss.

A US Government clinical trail found that a specific high dose mix of antioxidants- vitamin C and E, beta-carotene and zinc-can slow the progression of AMD that is in the intermediate stages, and doctors now commonly prescribe it for such patients.