Scientists talked about restoring vision with the help of fatty acids

Researchers at the University of California at Irvine have found that injections of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids can restore visual function in elderly mice and reverse cellular signs of retinal aging. This was reported on April 22 in the journal Science Daily.

The study is based on the ELOVL2 gene, a widely recognized marker of aging. It encodes an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the retina. With age, the activity of ELOVL2 decreases, the levels of these substances fall, vision deteriorates, and the risk of age—related macular degeneration (AMD) increases.

The aim of the new work was to achieve the same effect as with increased ELOVL2 activity, but without directly affecting the gene. Scientists injected elderly mice with a specific fatty acid directly into their eyes. The animals' visual functions improved, and molecular analysis recorded a reversal of the signs of cellular aging of the retina.

"This is a proof of concept for turning lipid injections into a possible therapy. It is important that we did not observe a similar effect with DHA," explained Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, associate Professor of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics.

Fundus: why hot weather negatively affects vision

Experts told us how to choose sunglasses and whether it is possible to swim in lenses.

In parallel, genetic variants of the ELOVL2 enzyme associated with a faster progression of AMD have been identified. According to scientists, this opens up the possibility of identifying people at increased risk of vision loss in advance and conducting early intervention.

The study has implications beyond ophthalmology. In collaboration with a team from the University of California, San Diego, Skowronska-Krawczyk's group discovered that ELOVL2 deficiency accelerates the aging of immune cells, and lipid supplements can slow down this process and possibly reduce the risk of malignant blood diseases.

On August 10, Anton Kazantsev, ophthalmologist and CEO of VISTA Ophthalmological Center, shared habits that can preserve eyesight. He called the "20-20-20 rule" the most underestimated, the essence of which is the need to look up from the screen every 20 minutes and look at an object at a distance of 20 m for 20 seconds. According to the expert, this practice reduces the risk of myopia progression.