High-fat diets might be a marker for diets that are poor in many micronutrients that could protect against age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans over 60 years of age. This disease involves cell death in the macula of the eye, which has a high density of cone cells and is responsible for central vision.

A recent study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology investigated the relationship between fat intake and the presence of intermediate AMD 4-7 years later in over 1700 women, and found that some fats may benefit eye health while others may be damaging.

Saturated fats are detrimental when it comes to heart disease and cancer, so these results are no surprise - saturated fats showed the greatest association with AMD – 60% increased odds of AMD in women who consumed the greatest amounts.

Conclusions: High intake of saturated fat is associated with increased risk for early age-related maculopathy.

Deana Ferreri, Ph.D.