YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

The Nexus between Nutrition and Ocular Health became apparent in the 90s as Epidemiologists, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists uncovered dietary patterns in patients with AMD.

The Eye Disease Case-Control Group Ancillary Study, by Dr. Johanna M. Seddon, used a specially designed food frequency questionnaire and was the first to directly show that dietary intake of certain healthy foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, were associated with a lower risk for AMD.

Researchers were looking at cardiovascular disease, cardiologists looked at the island of Crete in Greece and said, “These people don’t have any heart disease at all. What is it?” They decided it was because of their Mediterranean diet. There are lots of fruits, vegetables and legumes, small amounts of red meat and a bit of alcohol, but not too much. And this diet has a higher ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids, which is seen in olive oil, and fish consumption was thought to be somewhat important too. Similarly, other Researchers have also looked at this  diet and studied the effect it can have on the Eyes.
Progression of AMD from nothing to intermediate  or from intermediate to late AMD was reduced with a Plant based/Mediterranean Diet. Whether at an early stage, at late stage or at moderate risk for AMD, diet can have a beneficial effect, and that is pretty impactful.

Author

Paddy Kalish OD, JD and B.Arch