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 A Clearer View of Macular Degeneration, Jean Marx, Science 311:1704 (24 March 2006)”Genes tied to age-related macular degeneration confirm the notion that inflammation helps destroy the central area of the retina in this vision disorder…Despite early skepticism…inflammation plays a causual role in AMD” Note that inflammation is regulated by the ratio of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids. Our non-fish, meat-based diet has substantially elevated the level of omega-6 fats. It has substantially reduced the level of omega-3 fats in our diet, contributing substantially to the rise in cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. And now this article makes clear it contributes to macular degeneration. Fish oil tablets are an inexpensive, conveniet way to decrease these inflammatory processes.

Diet and Serum Carotenoid Concentrations Affect Macular Pigment Optical Density in Adults 45 Years and Older Joanne D. Burke, Joanne Curran-Celentano, and Adam J. Wenzel J. Nutr. 2005 135: 1208-1214. [Abstract]

The dietary carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are the principal components of macular pigment (MP). Protection of the central retina by MP is suggested, but data are limited…These findings suggest that carotenoid-rich diets and serum carotenoids positively contribute to MP status.

Xanthophylls and alpha-Tocopherol Decrease UVB-Induced Lipid Peroxidation and Stress Signaling in Human Lens Epithelial Cells  Chureeporn Chitchumroonchokchai*, Joshua A. Bomser*, Jayme E. Glamm and Mark L. Failla* , J. Nutr. 134:3225-3232

Explains why vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin prevent cataracts. 

[Nutrition Investigator essay on zinc and AMD] Excess zinc may contribute to macular degeneration Exp Eye Res. 2007 Apr;84(4):772-80. Epub 2007 Jan 9 High concentration of zinc in sub-retinal pigment epithelial deposits. Lengyel I et al. ” One of the hallmarks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly in Western societies, is the accumulation of sub-retinal pigment epithelial deposits (sub-RPE deposits), including drusen and basal laminar deposits, in Bruch’s membrane (BM). The nature and the underlying mechanisms of this deposit formation are not fully understood. Because we know that zinc contributes to deposit formation in neurodegenerative diseases, we tested the hypothesis that zinc might be involved in deposit formation in AMD…Based on the evidence provided here we suggest that zinc plays a role in sub-RPE deposit formation in the aging human eye and possibly also in the development and/or progression of AMD.”