Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Smoking and Vision Loss from Age- Related Macular Degeneration

Authors

  • Jeremy A Murphy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15273/dmj.Vol37No1.3863

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the developed world. Despiteits prevalence no cure exists for atrophic dry AMD, which is the most common form of this disease. Severallifestyle modifications including the absence or cessation of smoking have been identified as preventive to AMDdevelopment. More recently, research has indicated that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial in theprevention of AMD. This review critically analyzes the literature concerning the effects of both smoking abstinenceand omega-3 fatty acid intake on the prevention of AMD. Taken together, this research indicates that increasedconsumption of omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. fish twice or more per week) halves the risk of both early and late AMDwhile smoking doubles the risk of AMD.

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Published

2010-04-12

How to Cite

Murphy, J. A. (2010). Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Smoking and Vision Loss from Age- Related Macular Degeneration. DALHOUSIE MEDICAL JOURNAL, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.15273/dmj.Vol37No1.3863

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 1 (2010)

Section

Review

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