Bordeaux Study Links Diet to Slowing Progression of Eye Diseases
BORDEAUX, FRANCE – A long-term study conducted at Bordeaux University Hospital reveals a strong correlation between dietary habits adn the progression of age-related eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma. The Aliénor study, which began in 2006, tracked 1,000 participants aged 73 and over, finding that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and low in processed foods and meat, substantially reduced the risk of developing or worsening AMD.
The Aliénor study is grafted onto the larger “study of the three cities” - a project following nearly 10,000 participants from Bordeaux, Dijon, and Montpellier since they were 65, seeking early indicators of dementia.Professor Jean-François Korobelnick, the ophthalmologist leading the Aliénor research, emphasized the “obvious” link between nutrition and eye health. “The number one risk factor is tobacco, of course, but those who eat healthy…trigger much less AMD, for example,” he stated.
While the study confirmed the impact of lifestyle factors like tobacco use and sun exposure, it also highlighted a critical gap in glaucoma awareness. Researchers found many patients are unaware they have the condition, as early symptoms are often absent, necessitating regular ophthalmological examinations to measure eye pressure and visual fields.
Professor Korobelnick recommends ophthalmological check-ups every two years starting at age 45, or annually after a diagnosis. The Aliénor study’s findings, published in 66 scientific articles in international journals between 2010 and 2025, have also spurred eight science theses, 13 medical theses, and over 100 presentations at national and international conferences. The research suggests dietary changes can potentially stabilize early-stage eye diseases and preserve vision.
