Macular degeneration results from deterioration of the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Damage to this area interferes with activities such as reading, driving, recognizing faces, and distinguishing colors. As the retina records visual images and transmits them to the brain via the optic nerve, degeneration of the macula has profound effects on visual function.
Research published in Archives of Ophthalmology (October 2008;126(10):1396–1403) supports earlier findings that light exposure and antioxidant status play an important role in macular degeneration risk. The condition affects more than 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of blindness in adults over age 55. Risk increases significantly with aging.
Investigators analyzed data from approximately 4,400 older adults participating in the European Eye Study. Lifelong sun exposure was assessed, and blood levels of antioxidants were measured. Individuals with high lifetime sun exposure combined with low antioxidant levels had a significantly greater risk of developing macular degeneration.
Bottom line:
Adequate antioxidant status may help protect the retina—particularly in individuals with substantial lifetime exposure to sunlight—supporting the role of diet and lifestyle in long-term eye health.
