February is AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) Awareness Month. Let’s talk about prevention. Every day, my patients ask me how to protect their eyes from AMD. Here’s what I tell them:
Your eyes love the Mediterranean Diet! It’s associated with 41% reduced risk of developing advanced AMD.*
The Mediterranean diet, traditionally observed in countries bordering the Mediterranean sea, is characterized by high consumption of plant foods and fish and low consumption of meat and dairy products. Olive oil is an important component of this diet. And you’re allowed to have wine with dinner!
Take home point: It’s true - you are what you eat!
Anyone else out there fans of the Mediterranean diet?
* EYE-RISK Consortium, pooled data from Rotterdam and Alienor Studies, Ophthalmology Manuscript no. 2018-622. In Press.