*THE QUESTION The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are believed to help the heart and the brain. Might eating fish also help prevent macular degeneration, the deterioration of the part of the eye that lets people see fine detail?

*THIS STUDY analyzed dietary data and eye exam results for 2,335 people, most in their early 60s. During a five-year period, 152 were diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration. Those who ate at least one serving of fish a week were 38 percent less likely to develop the disorder than were those who ate fish less than once a month. People who ate fish at least three times a week were 75 percent less likely to have advanced macular degeneration.

*WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY THESE FINDINGS? Older people. Macular degeneration sometimes occurs during middle age but usually affects people 60 and older. About 30 percent of those over 75 have the disorder.

*CAVEATS People who ate the most fish may also have had other healthy habits that lowered their risk.

*FIND THIS STUDY July issue of Archives of Ophthalmology; abstract available online at www.archophthalmol.com.

*LEARN MORE ABOUT macular degeneration at www.nei.nih.gov/health and www.amd.org.

The research described in Quick Study comes from credible, peer-reviewed journals. Nonetheless, conclusive evidence about a treatment's effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician.