Wet vs Dry Macular Degeneration: Can Omega-3 Fish Oil Help?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults. While current treatments focus on slowing its progression, recent studies have revealed the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing and managing AMD. This article looks into the differences between wet vs dry macular degeneration, the science behind omega-3’s effects on eye health, and practical tips for prevention and management.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration damages the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision.

Central vision becomes blurry, and recognizing faces or reading may require additional light. Adjusting to low-light environments becomes challenging, and colors may appear less vibrant. These symptoms can significantly impact daily life, making early detection and management critical.¹

Currently, there is no known cure for macular degeneration, only treatments to slow its progress. That is why the latest research into omega-3 and macular degeneration is so exciting as we will see later.

How Does Omega-3 Help with Wet vs Dry Macular Degeneration?

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are essential for maintaining eye health. DHA is a key structural component of the retina, where it supports photoreceptor function and helps process light signals effectively. Research suggests that omega-3s may reduce the risk of developing AMD and slow its progression.

In fact, several studies have linked higher dietary intake of omega-3s with a reduced risk of AMD. Four comprehensive studies found that individuals who consumed omega-3-rich foods, such as oily fish, were less likely to develop AMD.^{2 3 4 5} One study showed that eating oily fish once a week could cut the risk of AMD by 50%! ⁷

Omega-3 supplementation has also shown promise, though results depend on dosage. The more omega-3 you take, the better the results.

In one study, participants taking 1 gram of omega-3 daily saw no significant benefits. ⁶

A second study, using a higher dose of DHA, found a 68% reduced risk of abnormal blood vessel growth in participants with elevated DHA levels, though vision improvement was not observed. ⁷

A third study using 5 grams of omega-3 daily showed remarkable results, demonstrating that high doses may restore vision in people with dry AMD. Unlike previous treatments that only slowed disease progression, this study showed actual eyesight improvement. Participants experienced significant changes within 4.5 months, with some noticing improvements in just a few days. ⁸

Additionally, omega-3 supplements combined with anti-VEGF treatment have shown potential benefits for patients with wet AMD. VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is a protein that promotes the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, a key issue in wet AMD. ⁹

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

The causes of AMD are not fully understood but appear to involve a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Certain risk factors mean you are more likely to develop macular degeneration. They are: ^{1 10}

• Age – Over 65’s are at a greater risk.
• Race – The condition is more likely to affect white people.
• Obesity – Although not necessarily a cause in itself, being overweight does increase the chance that the disease will progress from early to late-stage AMD.
• Family History – Genetic susceptibility likely plays a role; if someone in your family has suffered from the condition, you may be at a higher risk.
• Cardiovascular problems – If you’ve had heart or CV issues in the past you may be at a higher risk, as these will affect the blood supply, (and therefore nutrient supply), to the eyes.

Wet vs Dry Macular Degeneration: What’s the Difference?

AMD exists in two forms: wet and dry. Dry AMD is the more common type, affecting about 85% of patients. It begins with the accumulation of yellow deposits, known as drusen, beneath the retina. Over time, these deposits can damage the retinal cells responsible for processing light, leading to gradual vision loss. ¹¹

Wet AMD, while less common, is more severe. Wet AMD causes vision loss because of the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels are very fragile and can leak blood and protein below the macula when they break. The leaking, bleeding, and scarring that results from this can damage the photoreceptors, and potentially lead to a much more rapid vision loss, which can become serious if it’s not treated. ³

This is what macular degeneration looks like:

Are There Other Supplements and Nutrients That Can Help with AMD?

The AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) and AREDS study 2 have also identified other antioxidants and minerals that may prevent the development of macular degeneration to advanced levels. ^{6 12}

The 2nd AREDS study identified that the following vitamins and minerals (and dosages) can reduce the risk of advanced AMD and vision loss. 

• 500 mg of vitamin C
• 400 IUs of vitamin E
• 10 mg of lutein
• 2 mg of zeaxanthin
• 80 mg of zinc
• 2 mg of copper

In addition to omega-3, these are certainly worth adding to any supplement regime for those suffering from AMD.

What Diet and Lifestyle Changes Can Prevent AMD?

Diet plays an important role in managing AMD. Consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can protect eye health and even provide relief from dry eyes. Processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats should be minimized, as studies suggest they may contribute to AMD progression.

Smoking cessation is essential, as smoking is strongly linked to AMD. Regular exercise not only helps maintain a healthy weight but also improves cardiovascular health, which supports blood flow to the eyes. Together, these lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of AMD and its progression.

Conclusion

While there is no cure for macular degeneration, omega-3s have shown promise in slowing its progression. High doses may even restore vision in some cases of dry AMD. When combined with a nutrient-rich diet, omega-3 fish oil offers hope for managing both wet and dry macular degeneration. To learn more about safe and effective omega-3 dosages, check out our blog post, “How Much Omega-3 Per Day Is Safe?“

References:

1. Wanjiku Mathenge. “Age-Related Macular Degeneration.” Community Eye Health, vol. 27, no. 87, 2020, p. 49, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4322741/. ‌ ↩︎
2. Seddon JM, Cote J, Rosner B. Progression of age-related macular degeneration: association with dietary fat, transunsaturated fat, nuts, and fish intake [published correction appears in Arch Ophthalmol. 2004 Mar;122(3):426]. Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121(12):1728‐1737. ↩︎
3. Cho E, Hung S, Willett WC, et al. Prospective study of dietary fat and the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(2):209‐218 ↩︎
4. Reynolds R, Rosner B, Seddon JM. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids, other fat intake, genetic susceptibility, and progression to incident geographic atrophy. Ophthalmology. 2013;120(5):1020‐1028. ↩︎
5. Augood C, Chakravarthy U, Young I, et al. Oily fish consumption, dietary docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid intakes, and associations with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88(2):398‐406 ↩︎
6. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial [published correction appears in JAMA. 2013 Jul 10;310(2):208]. JAMA. 2013;309(19):2005‐2015.  ↩︎
7. Souied EH, Delcourt C, Querques G, et al. Oral docosahexaenoic acid in the prevention of exudative age-related macular degeneration: the Nutritional AMD Treatment 2 study. Ophthalmology. 2013;120(8):1619‐1631. ↩︎
8. Georgiou T, Neokleous A, Nicolaou D, Sears B. Pilot study for treating dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with high-dose omega-3 fatty acids.PharmaNutrition. 2014;2(1):8-11. ↩︎
9. Rezende, Flavio A et al. “Omega-3 supplementation combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor lowers vitreal levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in wet age-related macular degeneration.” American journal of ophthalmology vol. 158,5 (2014): 1071-78. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2014.07.036 ↩︎
10. Lim, Laurence S et al. “Age-related macular degeneration.” Lancet (London, England) vol. 379,9827 (2012): 1728-38. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60282-7 ↩︎
11. Ambati, Jayakrishna, and Benjamin J Fowler. “Mechanisms of age-related macular degeneration.” Neuron vol. 75,1 (2012): 26-39. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2012.06.018 ↩︎
12. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8 [published correction appears in Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Sep;126(9):1251]. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417‐1436.  ↩︎

Related posts:

Can Omega-3 Help With Dry Eyes? Anti-aging Supplements: Is Omega-3 One of Them? How Omega-3 Battles MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Symptoms