June 14/Rotterdam, The Netherlands/Internal Medicine News Digital Network -- High dietary intake of antioxidants, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of early age-related macular degeneration in patients with the high genetic risk, according to the findings of a prospective, population-based study in the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
Studies have shown that some 80% of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) cases are due to variants in the complement factor H (CFH) and LOC387715/HTRA1 genes. "To reduce the burden of this disease, it is therefore essential to find means to counteract these major gene effects," the researchers said. "The only protective factors for AMD known to date are nutrients."