Loss of vision with aging is a major concern to many seniors. Is there anything that can be done to reduce the risk of such vision loss? A review of studies published in the past few years reveals that diet plays a role in the onset and progression of AMD. Age-related macular degeneration leads to the blurring of the sharp, central vision important for such activities as reading and driving. The macula is the part of the eye that helps us see fine detail. The findings, published in the July 2018 issue of Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, indicate that a Mediterranean diet, and an Oriental diet, are associated with a decreased risk of AMD compared to a typical Western diet.
A Mediterranean diet has a higher amount of legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, olive oil, and moderate consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat products. An Oriental diet has a high intake of vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruits, and seafood. In contrast, a Western diet has a higher intake of red meat, processed meat, high-fat dairy products, fried potatoes, refined grains and eggs. The investigators propose that a high consumption of vegetables and fatty fish containing omega-3 fatty acids is of benefit to those with AMD. High glycemic index diets (often due to high sugar intake) and alcohol consumption of greater than two drinks a day lead to an increased risk for AMD. Learn more about Macular Degeneration.