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Research highlights risk factors for age-related vision loss
July 11, 2006Chicago — Eating fish frequently may be associated with decreased chances of developing age-related macular degeneration, while smoking nearly doubles the risk for this common cause of vision loss and hormone therapy appears to have no effect, according to three articles in the July issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the macula, the area at the back of the retina that produces the sharpest vision, begins to deteriorate. The condition affects approximately 30 percent of Americans age 75 years and older, with 6 to 8 percent developing advanced cases, according to background information in one of the articles. It is the most prevalent cause of vision loss and blindness in the elderly population. Researchers have hypothesized that many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis or blocked arteries, may also contribute to the development of AMD, possibly by affecting blood flow to the eye.
In the first study, Johanna M. Seddon, M.D., Sc.M., of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, and colleagues studied genetic and environmental risk factors for AMD in 681 elderly male twins. The men underwent an examination by an ophthalmologist, filled out a food questionnaire and participated in a telephone interview to assess other risk factors, including demographics, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity habits. AMD was diagnosed using photographs of the inner eye.
Of the 681 men, 222 (average age 75.9 years) had intermediate or late-stage AMD and 459 (average age 74.5 years) had no AMD or were in the very early stages. Those who currently smoked had a 1.9-fold increased risk of AMD and those who had smoked in the past had a 1.7-fold increased risk. Those who ate more fish and more omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon and other fish), were less likely to have AMD. The greatest reduction in risk was seen among individuals who ate two or more servings of fish per week. The benefits of eating more omega-3 fatty acids were most apparent among those who consumed less linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, suggesting that the proper balance of fats is key, the authors write.
"About a third of the risk of AMD in this twin study cohort could be attributable to cigarette smoking, and about a fifth of the cases were estimated as preventable with higher fish and omega-3 fatty acid dietary intake," they conclude. "Age-related macular degeneration is a common eye disease in older persons, smoking is a common avoidable behavior and dietary habits are modifiable; therefore, a proportion of visual impairment and blindness due to AMD could be prevented with attention to healthy lifestyles."
JAMA and Archives Journals
Of the 681 men, 222 (average age 75.9 years) had intermediate or late-stage AMD and 459 (average age 74.5 years) had no AMD or were in the very early stages. Those who currently smoked had a 1.9-fold increased risk of AMD and those who had smoked in the past had a 1.7-fold increased risk. Those who ate more fish and more omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon and other fish), were less likely to have AMD. The greatest reduction in risk was seen among individuals who ate two or more servings of fish per week. The benefits of eating more omega-3 fatty acids were most apparent among those who consumed less linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, suggesting that the proper balance of fats is key, the authors write.
"About a third of the risk of AMD in this twin study cohort could be attributable to cigarette smoking, and about a fifth of the cases were estimated as preventable with higher fish and omega-3 fatty acid dietary intake," they conclude. "Age-related macular degeneration is a common eye disease in older persons, smoking is a common avoidable behavior and dietary habits are modifiable; therefore, a proportion of visual impairment and blindness due to AMD could be prevented with attention to healthy lifestyles."
JAMA and Archives Journals
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Clues to visual variant Alzheimer's; myopia and diabetic retinopathy risk
Two studies are of particular note in today's Scientific Program of the 2009 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO): a report by Swiss neuro-ophthalmic researchers about vision exam clues that should make ophthalmologists suspect an atypical variant of Alzheimer's disease; and new evidence from a Singapore National Eye Center study that diabetics who are nearsighted may be less susceptible to diabetic retinopathy.
Treating ROP in tiny preemies; better glaucoma follow-up in urban clinic
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First in New York: Bionic technology aims to give sight to woman blinded beginning at age 13
A 50-year-old New York woman who was diagnosed with a progressive blinding disease at age 13 was implanted with an experimental electronic eye implant that has partially restored her vision.
Experimental treatments restore partial vision to blind people
Two experimental treatments, a retinal prosthesis and fetal tissue transplant, restored some vision to people with blinding eye diseases. The findings, presented at Neuroscience 2009, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health, may lead to new treatments for the blind.
Cancer drug is no different in effectiveness as gold standard treatment for macular degeneration
Investigators from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the VA Boston Healthcare System have shown, at 6 months in a small group of patients, that there is no difference in efficacy between Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Ranibizumab (Lucentis) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
New device finds early signs of eye disease in preemies
Tell-tale signs of a condition that can blind premature babies are being seen for the first time using a new handheld device in a study at Duke University Medical Center.
Topical erectile dysfunction therapy shows promise
An innovative drug-delivery system - nanoparticles encapsulating nitric oxide or prescription drugs - shows promise for topical treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a new study by scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.
Study predicts 40 percent increase in blindness in Nigeria by 2020
By 2020, 1.4 million Nigerians over age 40 will lose their sight, and the vast majority of the causes are either preventable or treatable, according to the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Study Group.
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