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Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce progression of geographic atrophy
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Increased dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with reduced risk of geographic atrophy, according to a study.
“Our study of progression differs from [other] studies by including up to 12 years of follow-up, adjusting for several genetic variants, testing for gene-nutrient interactions and including all nonadvanced eyes at baseline in the analyses,” the study authors said.
The prospective cohort study included 2,531 patients from AREDS (the Age-Related Eye Disease Study). Among these patients, 525 eyes progressed to geographic atrophy. The authors collected demographic, behavioral and dietary information from questionnaires at baseline.
Individuals controlled for age-related macular degeneration grade, sex, age, AREDS treatment, education, smoking, body mass index and caloric intake saw a reduction in risk of geographic atrophy progression with intake of omega-3. Patients with these factors and ARMS2/HTRA1 homozygous risk genotype also saw a significant trend in the reduction of progression (P = .01), according to the study.
Eating one or more 3-ounce serving per week of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel or sardines, may reduce progression of geographic atrophy, the authors said.
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