(June 9, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from foods such as fish may help ward off an age-related eye disease that can lead to blindness, according to research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Here are some facts about age-related macular degeneration:

•    It is a progressive, degenerative disease of the eye that attacks central vision.

•    It is the leading cause of severe vision loss among the elderly.

•    Treatments which include laser and injections of medicines can not only prevent further visual loss but can restore vision in a significant number of patients.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne combined the data collected from nine studies that looked at the association between eating fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and the risk of AMD. Overall, the studies included nearly 90,000 participants, over 3,000 of whom suffered from AMD.

Overall, having a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids was linked with a 38% reduced risk of developing advanced AMD. In addition, eating fish twice a week was linked with a reduced risk for both early stage and advanced AMD.

While not conclusive, today's research suggests that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which include salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts, may help prevent age-related degenerative eye disease.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.