Vitamin D deficiency a risk factor for AMD

Vitamin D deficiency in women already with a genetic predisposition to developing age related macular degeneration has been found to increase the odds of them developing the sight threatening disease.

A study published in the latest JAMA Ophthalmology Journal described how a research team based at the University of Buffalo analysed the vitamin serum levels of 913 pre-menopausal women taking part in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS), along with genetic data and also measurements of AMD, found in 142 of the sample.

Genetic profiles indicated which women carried either one or two alleles for the CFH and CFI genotypes known to be associated with AMD expression. These alleles are linked with a protein known to trigger an immune response to external pathogens and may target drusen in a way that promotes macular degeneration.