A poor diet and too much sunlight may place the eyes at risk, British researchers warned today.
The Europe-wide research showed that vitamins C and E and two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, help to protect the eyes against the effects of sunlight.
The study found that plenty of sunlight and few vitamins in the diet increased the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by four times.
Some 4,700 people, all aged 65 or more, took part in the research from Norway, Estonia, Northern Ireland, France, Italy, Greece and Spain. The findings are reported in the Archives of Ophthalmology.
Researcher Professor Astrid Fletcher, an expert in ageing at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said simply wearing sunglasses might help protect against eye disease.
She said: "We are not telling people to stay out of the sun altogether. The benefits of sunlight are well documented, in particular its role in vitamin D synthesis.
"But if people want to avoid macular degeneration as they get older, they should avoid exposing their eyes to too much sunlight when they are outside, and take simple precautions, such as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses."
She added: "Nor are we recommending that people should take vitamin supplements. It is perfectly possible to achieve the recommended dietary reference intakes for these essential antioxidants by following a balanced diet."
A second study last night warned that people with Parkinson’s disease may suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Researchers from Emory University, Atlanta, USA, reported their findings in the Archives of Neurology.
Arch Ophthalmol. 2008; 126[10]:1396-1403, Arch Neurol. 2008;65[10]:1348-1352
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