Smoking and dietary factors in age-related eye diseases Original paper

Smoking is associated with increased risk of some age-related eye diseases (AREDs), but some dietary factors may mitigate ARED risk. However, the quality of evidence is mixed, and an umbrella review (a "review of reviews”) of the available literature was needed.

This umbrella review examined 25 meta-analyses and 10 qualitative systematic reviews to identify factors associated with ARED risk. The associations were subsequently classified based on the strength of accumulated evidence.

The only association classified as convincing was between current smoking and increased incidence of cataract. There was highly suggestive evidence that smoking at any point in an individual’s life was also associated with cataract risk.

Fish consumption and dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were identified as potential protective factors against age-related macular degeneration. The association with omega-3 intake was classified as suggestive, and the association with fish consumption was classified as highly suggestive.

Suggestive evidence was also found between reduced risk of cataract and dietary intake of the antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin C.

The authors of this umbrella review noted that good-quality evidence is limited and that more research is needed to identify dietary factors associated with AREDs.