Omega-3 fatty acids help the body grow and develop properly. These essential acids may also help reduce your risk for certain health conditions, such as heart disease. Using omega-3 may also help prevent macular degeneration and retinopathy, two conditions that often cause irreversible vision loss. The benefits to the eyes show that omega-3 may play an important role in preventing blindness. Understanding these conditions and the role of omega-3 may help you prevent these conditions.
Macular Degeneration
Your macula is located in the center of the retina, lining the inside, back chamber of your eye. Cells make up the macular tissue, and if these cells break down, usually with age, this will result in a condition known as macular degeneration. You will experience vision loss in the center of your vision, making visual tasks, such as reading or driving, difficult or impossible. In advanced stages, also known as wet macular degeneration, macular damage may result in blindness. Primary research indicates that omega-3 may protect the macula from damage and reduce your risk for this condition. As of 2010, the National Eye Institute is continuing a study to evaluate the specific effects of omega-3 on age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
Retinopathy
Retinopathy is a condition of the retina that occurs when damage occurs to the retina's blood vessels. This often causes permanent damage to the retina, resulting in vision changes. Many diabetics have a condition called diabetic retinopathy, a condition that results when high blood glucose levels damage the blood vessels of the retina. Advanced cases may lead to partial or complete vision loss. In 2007, the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, reported that dietary intake of omega-3 intake may help prevent damage to the retinal vessels, reducing the risk for retinopathy.
Sources
Dietary sources of omega-3 include fatty fish, such as mackerel, tuna and salmon. Flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and walnuts also contain beneficial amounts of omega-3. Your doctor may also recommend a daily supplement, such as fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil capsules to ensure that you have omega-3 each day. If your doctor recommends a supplement, he will tell you the dose you should have each day.
Considerations
Do not start taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements or increasing your dietary intake without first talking with your doctor. Omega-3 may put you at an increased risk for bleeding if you take blood-thinning medication. If you have diabetes, omega-3 may affect your blood glucose readings. To determine if omega-3 is appropriate for you, your doctor will help you weigh the risks of medication interactions against the benefits of preventing vision loss.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: NIH News: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Protect Eyes Against Retinopathy, Study Finds
- All About Vision: Eye Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: College of Medicine: Diabetic Retinopathy
Member Comments