title: Evidence for the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As part of a larger systematic review on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on eye health, the aim of this report was to appraise and synthesize the evidence for the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in slowing down the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and/or decreasing the rate of progression to advanced forms of AMD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search was undertaken in six databases (MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CAB Health, and Dissertation Abstracts).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two unique studies, one randomized clinical trial (RCT) and one prospective cohort study, satisfied the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The RCT reported evidence on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids in slowing down the progression of AMD. The prospective cohort study addressed the question: what is the evidence that omega-3 fatty acids decrease the rate of progression to advanced forms of AMD?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical research on this topic is scarce. Only two studies were eligible to be included in this review. Although one study result indicated efficacy of preventing AMD progression to its advanced form, this result needs to be duplicated and supported by future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Ottawa Hospital Eye Institute, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. whodge@ottawahospital.on.ca
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Howard M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Schachter
authors.forename: Yi Irene
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lowcock
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.forename: Andra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Khai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Maia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miguelez
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewin
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D018450:Disease Progression; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3