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Lowering homocysteine levels may lower AMD risk
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Hyperhomocysteinemia, which primarily has a genetic link but may also be caused by diet, could increase the risk of progression to neovascular age-related macular degeneration, according to Elisa F. de Junco, OD, and Thomas J. de Junco in the December print edition of Primary Care Optometry News.
“Epidemiological studies have reported that an elevated level of homocysteine (Hcy) is related to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke,” the authors report. “Many of these factors leading to cardiovascular disease have been found to be related to AMD.”
Treatment with folic acid, B6 and B12 has been shown to decrease the concentration of Hcy, they said.
“Finding another modifiable risk factor such as elevated Hcy level can alert the practitioner in cases of early AMD to initiate diet modification and low-cost vitamin treatments,” the authors said, thereby improving quality of life for seniors.