HEALTH TIPS

What can I do that might reduce my risk of developing macular degeneration?

1. Eat large quantities of dark green leafy vegetables rich in carotenoids, the yellowish pigments that include precursors of Vitamin A. Spinach and collard greens are possibly the most beneficial vegetables in this respect. Two yellow pigments found in the macula known as lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in these vegetables, and are thought to filter out visible blue light which might possibly damage the macula. Therefore, these two yellow pigments may protect the macula from light damage. (Click on the links above for lutein and zeaxanthin to see tables listing foods rich in these carotenoids.)

2. Protect your eyes from potentially harmful ultra-violet (UV) light and blue light.

3. Antioxidant vitamin and zinc supplements may help - Age-Related Eye Disease Study.

4. Do not smoke.

5. Eat a low-fat diet. Avoid junk food.

6. Exercise regularly.

Will drinking a glass or two of wine a month help reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration?

1. On January 2, 1998, many news reports indicated that drinking wine in moderation may lessen the chance of developing macular degeneration.

   Researchers reported in the January 1998 issue of The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society that people who drink wine in moderation may be less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This finding was based on an analysis of data collected between 1971 and 1975 for the National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES-1) from 3,072 adults 45 to 74 years of age with eye-related changes that indicated AMD.

   The study found the lowest risk of age-related macular degeneration in people who reported having only about one drink of wine a month, but because of faulty recall that could really be two or three glasses of wine, said Dr. Thomas Obisesan, chief of the geriatrics section at the Howard University Hospital in Washington. Beer and liquor showed no significant effect on the risk of macular degeneration.

   However, The National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute, believes that it would be premature to make any recommendations based on this single study. While this is an interesting finding that bears further investigation, the authors of the study warn that the study should not be used to "draw inferences about a cause and effect relationship." It also should be noted that later studies have found no such relationship between macular degeneration and wine drinking, and that the findings reported are of borderline significance.

   The authors of the study expressed concerns about the reliability of the data indicating the amount of alcohol consumed, as these data are often subject to recall bias. In addition, the study did not completely take into account possible confounding factors, especially smoking. Many studies show that smoking is a risk factor for macular degeneration. Since there is generally more smoking among alcohol users, smoking status should be taken into account in the analyses. The reliability of the diagnosis of macular degeneration in those surveyed is also questioned by the National Eye Institute because the methods now used to diagnose macular degeneration in large studies have been improved and are quite different than those used in the early 1970s.