(www.PreserveMacForte.com) Omega-3 fatty acids can help to fight off the ravages of age-related macular degeneration  (AMD), a disease that progressively damages the central vision and renders it difficult to do everyday things such as recognize faces of family, driving and reading, according to NewsFix.ca recently.

The article indicated that a couple of studies featured in Archives of Ophthalmology demonstrate that regular use of fish, olive oil, and other food containing omega-3 fatty acids seems to be connected with reduced risks of coming down with AMD.

According to the article, Australian researchers who conducted the first study looked at the retinal pictures of 2,454 older people at baseline, and again five and/or a decade later. The people were also told to fill out a food frequency questionnaire. The researchers found that people who consumed more food with omega-3 fatty acids appeared to safeguard themselves against coming down with early AMD.

According to the article, a different set of Australian researchers in the second study assessed 6,734 patients between the ages of 58 and 69 to look into potential associations between previous dietary fat intake and the pervasiveness of AMD. This group of researchers discovered that a diet with minimal trans fats and lots of omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil could help to lessen the odds of AMD.

Separately, previous studies have shown that diet can play an important part in lowering the risks of getting AMD. Eating lots of fruits and leafy green vegetables has also been shown not only to promote eye health, but also to ward off AMD. People should also take a holistic approach that includes exercising regularly, avoiding high blood pressure, keeping cholesterol in check and staying away from cigarettes.

Going in for annual check ups is also a critical part of a comprehensive eye care program. People who have a family history of age-related macular degeneration will need to talk to their doctor about following a more regular eye exam schedule since such people are more likely to get AMD than are those who don’t have a family history of the eye condition. Early diagnosis opens up more treatment options, so people should not neglect regular visits with their eye doctor.

Reference: http://www.newsfix.ca/2013/04/20/omega-3-fatty-acids-linked-to-lower-risk-of-eye-disease/