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Recent studies in the United States point towards the fact that an increase or addition of Omega 3's within a person's diet may slow the deterioration of sight in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) when coupled with vitamin A supplements. It is certainly not a fishy tale, but this research project certainly points towards added benefits of regular fish oils other than the well documented approval for helping joints and muscles in the body.
Retinitis pigmentosa, or RP, is a term given to a collection of genetic eye conditions that without early detection leads to blindness in the sufferer. Even if a diagnosis is made, these conditions are unfortunately incurable as we stand and are managed or slowed through the daily intake of vitamin A, although this is not a guarantee with every patient. Studies suggest the use of vitamin A to combat these eye related conditions can postpone blindness by up to 10 years dependent on the stage of the disease. Symptoms for RP include night blindness, followed by tunnel vision. As progression is different in each case, many become legally blind while retaining some sight in middle age whereas others can lose their sight completely during childhood. The disease affects the photoreceptors or retinal pigment epithelium of the retina, causing gradually vision loss. An inability to see or adapt to dark surroundings is followed by a loss of periphery vision.
This new research focused around the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in conjunction with vitamin A supplementation which is already part of the treatment process for RP patients. The Boston studies showed that patients taking vitamin A and ate 1-2 three ounce servings of oily fish each week saw their vision deterioration slow considerably in comparison to those who only took vitamin A. Previous studies had indicated that the central vision patients was helped or preserved with a high intake of omega 3 acids. Thus the step was made to combine the two with the theory that both visual acuity and the central visual field of RP sufferers could be slowed significantly from progression.
Study results and details:
- 357 adults who received vitamin A palmitate where tested
- Two groups were formed, one taking at least 0.2 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids, and the other less than 0.2 grams
- Those who received a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids saw their ETDRS decline by 0.59 letters per year compared to lower dosage patients seeing a 1.00 letter per day decline.
- Those who received a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids saw their Snellen retinal acuity decline by 1.5% compared to lower dosage patients seeing a 2.8% decline.
- Hopes are high that those taking higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids could prolong their visual acuity by an additional 18 years