Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements improve vision and QoL in patients with AMD

Oral omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (3.7g; EPA:DHA=5:1) improves actual and perceived vision in individuals with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt disease (SD) reveals a study presented in Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt disease cause gradual visual loss that can eventually lead to blindness. There are currently no effective or convenient treatment strategies available to prevent or reverse these diseases. The demand for an effective treatment intervention in individuals suffering from visual loss owing to retinal degeneration remains strong. As a result, Katerina Prokopiou and colleagues conducted a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to look at the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in individuals with dry age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease.

The key inclusion criterion was that the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) during the screening visit be between 21 and 55 (ETDRS letters). The total number of patients was 21, with 9 females and 12 males having a mean age of 60.0 2.3 years. For 24 weeks, patients were given either a placebo (sunflower oil; 7 patients) or the active substance orally once a day. At screening, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks, the number of letters obtained from BCVA readings and the ratio of arachidonic acid (AA)/EPA (using gas chromatography) were measured. At 12 and 24 weeks, the total score of a questionnaire on perceived eyesight and subjective mood was acquired. For the statistical analysis, the SPSS programme (version 25.0) was utilized.

The key findings of this study were as follow:

1. The mean BCVA rose from 40.93 ±9.18 at screening to 46.93± 9.18 at 24 weeks in the active group, but there was no substantial increase in the placebo group.

2. When the mean letters obtained at 24 weeks were compared, there was a notable change between the active and placebo groups.

3. Similar results were observed for letters acquired at 12 weeks.

4. The mean level of AA/EPA in the active group decreased significantly from screening to 12 weeks and 24 weeks, but there were no significant alterations in the placebo group.

5. Finally, at 12 weeks, the mean questionnaire score was identical in the two groups, but at 24 weeks, it was greater in the active group compared to the placebo group.

In conclusion, the optimistic findings of this study imply that EPA-rich omega-3 fatty acid supplements may improve the quality of life of patients suffering from these illnesses and reduce the cost burden associated with them.

Reference: 

Katerina Prokopiou, Panagiotis Kolovos, Haritini Tsangari, Francesco Bandello, Luca Rossetti, Leonardo Mastropasqua,. A prospective, multicentre, randomised, double-blind study designed to assess the potential effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in dry age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease, ARVO 2022