If you have the debilitating eye disease known as age-related macular degeneration, federal health experts want to meet you.

The National Institutes of Health will start later this year a nationwide study to see if vitamins, minerals and fish oil can further slow the progression of the disease, the leading cause of vision loss for Americans over 60.

Researchers are seeing 4,000 people 50 to 85 with macular degeneration in both eyes, or the advanced kind in one eye. They must undergo yearly eye exams for at least five years.

For a list of study centers, eligibility requirements and other information, click here or call (877) 273-3780.

The new study will build upon the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, better known as AREDS, which found that high doses of antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper can reduce the progression by 25 percent and the risk of moderate vision loss by 19 percent.
Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, director of the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C., said the new study - AREDS2 - will see if the plant-derived antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA from fish and vegetable oils will lower a person's risk of going into advanced macular degeneration.

Macular generation damages the eye's macula, the small area responsible for central vision near the retina's center. Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the macula, Zerhouni said.

Nutrition's effect on AMD

Nearly 2 million Americans have vision loss from the advanced form of the disease, while another 7 million with macular degeneration are at "substantial risk" for vision loss, said Dr. Paul Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute.

But research already is studying nutrition's effects on macular degeneration, although eye experts concede they're far from done and more extensive studies are needed on the mysterious disease. 

In August, researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, said lutein and zeaxanthin in leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, squash, broccoli and peas may help women under 75 stave off macular degeneration.

Previous studies suggest lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of macular degeneration by absorbing destructive blue light, preventing damage to eye cells and strengthening cell membranes.

Another study from the University of Sydney in July showed that eating fish and other foods brimming with polyunsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids may cut your chances in half of getting macular degeneration.

For more information

•  National Eye Institute

•  Macular Degeneration Partnership

•  U.S. National Library of Medicine

•  Journal of the American Medical Association

•  Nutrition's Role in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Source: National Institutes of Health

This summary by Nubella News, a division of Marketing Technology Solutions, Inc., is a snapshot of larger, more detailed studies and/or research projects. Nubella News encourages all site visitors and readers interested in understanding the material contained within this article at a more detailed level, to perform additional research and investigation into the article topics, references, and any links provided within the material. Nubella News does not intend to offer medical advice. We recommend that all readers ask their doctor or medical professional for additional advice, guidance, and/or recommendations pertaining to this article.