Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Abstract

Against a background of considerable epidemiological and other evidence implicating omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the negative results of the Age-Related Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) were unexpected. The possibility that the design, setting, intake or subjects of AREDS2 may not have permitted the prophylactic potential of omega-3 to be adequately demonstrated is considered. Epidemiological studies had indicated potential preventative effects of omega-3, and an earlier randomised prospective study (NAT2) showed that patients who achieved high red blood cell membrane EPA/DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid) levels were significantly protected against AMD compared with those with permanently low EPA/DHA levels. Various methodological differences between these studies are considered. NAT2 included a true placebo group, whereas control subjects in AREDS2 received a nutritional formula already found to be effective in AREDS1, but no placebo for DHA/EPA supplementation. Differences in the handling of non-compliant subjects and the formulation of the test formulations are considered. Given these considerations, and other lines of evidence from laboratory and clinical studies, closing the chapter on omega-3 in AMD prevention may be premature.

• Authors: Eric H Souied, Tariq Aslam, Alfredo Garcia-Layana, Frank G Holz, Anita Leys, Rufino Silva, Cécile Delcourt
• Journal: Ophthalmic research (Ophthalmic Res) Vol. 55 Issue 2 Pg. 62-9 ( 2015) ISSN: 1423-0259 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 26610051 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Fish Oils

Topics

• Diet
• Dietary Supplements
• Epidemiologic Studies
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (administration & dosage)
• Fish Oils (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Macular Degeneration (prevention & control)