title: ω-3 intake and visual acuity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether a diet high in long chain ω-3 fatty acids can slow the rate of visual acuity loss among patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A palmitate.
  
  
  METHODS
  We calculated dietary intake from questionnaires completed annually by 357 adult patients from 3 randomized trials who were all receiving vitamin A, 15 000 IU/d, for 4 to 6 years. Rates of visual acuity decline were compared between those with high (≥0.20 g/d) vs low (<0.20 g/d) ω-3 intake. Analyses took age into account.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean rates of decline of acuity were slower among those with high ω-3 intake: Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study distance acuity: high intake=0.59 letter per year, low intake=1.00 letter per year,P=.001; Snellen retinal acuity: high intake=1.5% per year, low intake=2.8% per year, P=.03.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that mean annual rates of decline in distance and retinal visual acuities in adults with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A, 15 000 IU/d,are slower over 4 to 6 years among those consuming a diet rich in ω-3 fatty acids. To our knowledge, this is the first report that nutritional intake can modify the rate of decline of visual acuity in retinitis pigmentosa.
authors.affiliation: linda_berard@meei.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Eliot L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Berson
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rosner
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sandberg
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weigel-DiFranco
authors.forename: Walter C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Willett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004032:Diet; D004224:Diterpenes; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000378:metabolism; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004224:Diterpenes; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A; C014794:retinol palmitate; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; C483858:phosphatidylethanolamine