(www.PreserveMacForte.com) Oil fish, which contains plentiful amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, could be helpful in helping to keep intact the eyesight of older people, according to TeleManagement recently.

The article noted that a new study has demonstrated that omega 3 fatty acids contained in oily fish could help the elderly to ward off eye disease such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Earlier research has also found that omega 3 fatty acids can cut AMD risks.

According to the article, researchers in Europe found that consuming oily fish at least once every week could lower the odds of getting AMD, which is the leading cause of vision loss and eyesight impairment.

The article noted that the National Eye Institute notes that there are two kinds of AMD, namely dry AMD and wet AMD. The more common and less serious of the two is dry AMD. Dry AMD occurs when light-sensitive cells located in the macula degenerate and adversely impact central vision. However, people with dry AMD can eventually come down with wet AMD, which can lead to blindness. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels leak blood and other liquid that damage the macula. Only about 10% of people diagnosed with dry AMD go on to get wet AMD. The article added that women appear to be more likely to get AMD than are men. Other risk factors include smoking, obesity and family history.

According to the article, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) researchers and their colleagues located in seven European nations mulled over the association between oily fish consumption and omega 3 fatty acids in the wet form of AMD. The researchers looked at the eating habits of people who took part in the study.

The researchers found that people who consume fish at least one time every week lessen their odds of getting wet AMD by 50%. Specifically, people who took part in the study were asked about their consumption of food containing omega 3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). According t the report, people who consume in excess of 300 mg of EPA and DHA were 70% less likely to come down with wet AMD.

AMD is the primary cause of vision loss in people older than 55 years old in the U.S. The condition generally only impacts the older segment of the population. This does not mean, however, that AMD is unavoidable.

Reference: http://www.tele-management.ca/2013/08/consuming-oily-fish-may-protect-eyesight-in-the-elderly/