Oily fish may protect eyesight in elderly

LONDON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- European researchers say eating oily fish once weekly may protect eyesight against age-related macular degeneration in old age.

Researchers from seven countries looked at age-related macular degeneration -- specifically wet age-related macular degeneration, which involves blood vessels.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found an inverse association between wet age-related macular degeneration and higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, as a result of eating fish.

People in the top 25 percent of DHA and EPA levels -- 300 mg per day and above -- were 70 percent less likely to have wet age-related macular degeneration.

"This is the first study in Europeans to show a beneficial association on wet age-related macular degeneration from the consumption of oily fish and is consistent with results from studies in the United States and Australia," study leader Astrid Fletcher of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said in a statement. "Two 3 ounces servings a week of oily fish, such as salmon, tuna or mackerel, provides about 500 mg of DHA and EPA per day."