Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Eye Health. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment Number 117

摘要

In the United States, blindness or low vision affects 3.3 million people over the age of 40, or one in 28 people in that age group. With the number of people aged 50 years or older expected to increase in upcoming decades, this number is expected to increase to 5.5 million Americans or 76 million people worldwide by the year 2020. The most important cause of low vision worldwide is cataracts; in developed countries, age related macular degeneration is the most common cause of low vision. The brain and eye are highly enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, which accumulate in these tissues during late fetal and early neonatal life. Some studies in preterm and term human infants have suggested that a dietary supply of omega-3 fatty acids is essential for optimal visual development. Several basic science studies support the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids may be useful therapeutic agents for pathologies of the retina and lens.