Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Americans aged 65 and older. A study suggests that race may play a role in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Susan Bressler, MD, of the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues analyzed over 2,500 people over 65, including 1,854 whites and 666 blacks. The results show that whites are more likely than African Americans to develop signs of AMD.
The results of the study showed that drusen (deposits in the eye) is more likely to be found in whites than African Americans. Whites also had higher rates of advanced AMD compared with African Americans. The results were published in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
This research suggests that whites are more likely to suffer from potentially blindness-inducing AMD than African Americans. More research is needed to determine the factors that seem to protect African Americans from developing age-related macular degeneration.
In addition to white ethnicity, the following factors place a person at higher risk for developing AMD:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Light eye color
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Family history
- Female gender
- Farsightedness
- Sun exposure
Antioxidants may protect your cells from oxidative damage, which may partially be responsible for the effects of aging and macular degeneration. Lutein is an antioxidant that has been found to lower the risk of developing macular degeneration. If you are at an elevated risk for developing AMD, you might consider adding more lutein containing foods to your diet. Good sources of lutein include green leafy vegetables as well as fruits, berries and vegetables with red, orange, and yellow pigments.
Source: Neale, Todd. "Race Plays a Role in Age-Related Macular Degeneration." Medpage Today, 12 Feb 2008.
