Genes have been linked to adult blindness ? but these findings do not absolve you from taking care of your health to fend off severe eye disease.
Two genes have been linked to adult macular degeneration, but unhealthy habits can seriously accelerate the loss of vision, according to an article in The Journal of the American Medical Association today.
“There has been evidence for a while that smoking is a risk factor for macular degeneration. Obesity may be linked to this as well,” said Dr. Janet Sunness, opthamologist with Greater Baltimore Medical Center. “There are not very many things you can do to prevent it, but these are modifiable risk factors that affect the progression of the disease.”
Sunness has published articles in the past showing that early measures of visual clarity can predict how far the disease will progress.
The Journal of the American Medical Association article ? based on research from Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston ? identified two genetic variants, including one linked generally to inflammation and a less-understood section of DNA.
Age-related macular degeneration happens when the centerof the inner lining of the eye suffers thinning, atrophy and in some cases bleeding, which can lead to visual impairment and legal blindness, according to the article. Tufts researchers associated advanced forms of the disease with variations in genes known as CFH and LOC387715.
The disease becomes increasingly common as people age beyond 50, according to the National Institutes of health. By age 75, almost 15 percent of people have this condition. Risk factors include family history, cigarette smoking and being white.
“Individuals with the risk genotype, if identified and appropriately advised, may be more motivated to adhere to healthy lifestyle habits,” the article states. “These include not smoking, maintaining a normal or lean weight, getting exercise, and eating an antioxidant-rich diet with fruits and vegetables as well as fish.”
Sunness agrees the information will help promote healthy habits.
“I ask every patient who walks into my office if they smoke,” she said. “If they smoke, they get my little lecture, which most people don?t actually expect to get from their opthamologist.”
