Volume 30, Issue 175, September 2026

Diet and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A view on the relationship between dietary patterns, dietary elements supplementation, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Wojciech Bogacki^1♦, Patrycja Pudzisz², Dawid Przybylski³, Stanisław Brożyna⁴, Karolina Szamocka⁵, Aleksandra Koszałka⁴, Katarzyna Frączek⁶, Karolina Bińkowska-Chęć⁷

¹Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny: Gdansk, Pomerania, Poland
²Samodzielny Zespół Publicznych Zakładów Opieki Zdrowotnej ul. gen. J. Hallera 25 56-400 Oleśnica, Poland
³Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny nr.2 Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, Poland
⁴Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Szczecinie: Szczecin, West Pomerania, Poland
⁵University Clinical Hospital in Poznań, 49 Przybyszewskiego Street, 60-355 Poznań, Poland
⁶Collegium Medicum Uniwesytet Jagielloński, Kraków, Poland,
⁷Samodzielny Publiczny Zespół Zakładów Opieki Zdrowotnej w Kozienicach, Al. Władysława Sikorskiego 10 26-900 Kozienice, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Wojciech Bogacki, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny: Gdansk, Pomerania, Poland

ABSTRACT

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disorder of the human retina. The pathophysiological essence of AMD is closely related to senescence of retinal tissues and the accumulation of uncleared cellular waste caused by persistent activation of the complement cascade, inflammation, and oxidative stress. It is the main cause of blindness in the population of elders (over 60 years old) in developed countries, and accounts for 6% to 9% of all blindness globally. AMD is a disease associated with multiple risk factors, among which diet has become increasingly popular, being a modifiable one with a potential impact on its treatment and prevention. We conducted a narrative review to summarize current evidence on the relationship between dietary patterns, dietary components, nutritional supplementation and the development and progression of AMD. We observed a strong relationship between a broadly understood diet and risk of AMD. Diet is potentially an important contributor to AMD pathogenesis and a valuable part of its treatment. Evidence suggests that nutrients, such as polyphenols, like resveratrol, carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, or the Mediterranean and Oriental dietary patterns, may have a protective effect against AMD. The Western dietary pattern and high intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids may increase the risk of AMD progression. Studies on saturated fatty acids remain inconclusive. Considering the fact that there are still inconsistencies in the results, further studies are required for a thorough understanding of this subject and to develop clear nutrition and supplementation strategies for AMD prevention.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration, diet, dietary pattern, dietary nutrients, AMD

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e188ms3942

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v30i175.e188ms3942

Published: 15 September 2026