Genetics play a role in vitamin D and macular degeneration link

Adequate levels of vitamin D most notably lower the risk in those who have a genetic risk of AMD. Individuals who had two risk alleles for the CFH Y402H genotype decreased their risk of AMD with adequate levels of vitamin D. Researchers evaluated data that was collected from the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study that involved 1,230 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years. Researchers found that the presence of the two risk alleles increased the odds of AMD but when the levels of vitamin D were adequate, that risk was greatly diminished. Additional studies will need to be conducted to confirm these preliminary findings and other factors play a role in the risk of AMD as well. These factors include, age, diet and smoking history.*