(http://www.PreserveMacForte.com) The American Journal of Epidemiology recently published an article that looked at the connection between alcohol use and the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Australia, reported VisionMD recently.
The article, which noted that 83% of Australians are believed to consume alcohol, explained that the authors behind the study looked at the connection between alcohol use and the development of AMD in 20,963 Australians between the ages of 40 and 69 over a 36-month period.
According to the article, the authors discovered that people who consumed in excess of 20 g of alcohol each day, or over two drinks, were 20% more likely to come down with early AMD as compared to people who did not consume alcohol. The authors also discovered that the source of the alcohol — whether spirits, wine or beer — did not alter the result, according to the article. Moreover, the article added that the authors discovered that men and women were both susceptible to increasing their risks of developing AMD if they used alcohol.
While it’s often been reported that consuming one glass of wine each day could help with heart health, the article noted that the authors did not find a corresponding benefit for eye health. According to the article, the authors also found that people who concentrated their drinking into fewer days did not increase their odds of coming down with early AMD as compared to people who consumed alcohol each day.
AMD, an eye aliment that generally impacts the elderly population, can ultimately lead to blindness. Projections are calling for an increase in AMD cases in the decades ahead. While there is no cure, there are treatments that can slow down the progression of the disease.
Better yet, people can reduce their odds of getting AMD in the first place by taking eye health seriously. Regular visits with an eye doctor is a good first step. People can also eat things that are known to keep eyes healthy. The best diet for macular degeneration includes fish with omega-3 fatty acids and leafy green vegetables. It’s also important to maintain a healthy weight and to exercise regularly.
Reference: http://visionmd.org/2013/01/10/alcohol-and-macular-degeneration/