Findings from Optometrists' Practices in Advising about Lifestyle Study.

Significance: Lifestyle influences eye health and other chronic diseases. All health care providers, not just primary care physicians, should have the necessary information and training to advise and refer patients on lifestyle to take advantage of opportunities to provide such advice.

Purpose: The extent to which optometrists offer lifestyle advice to their patients is largely unknown.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Incidence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Purpose: To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations at visit 2 (1990-1992) and the 18-year incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) between visit 3 (1993-1995) and visit 5 (2011-2013).

Methods: This prospective analysis was conducted in a subset of participants (n = 1225) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. We evaluated the incidence of any, early, and late AMD from visit 3 to 5.

Association between Dietary Xanthophyll (Lutein and Zeaxanthin) Intake and Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Purpose: To examine the association between xanthophyll intake and prevalent early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (n = 10,295). Potential effect modification by genetic polymorphisms and biomarkers of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism was explored.

Methods: Xanthophyll intake was assessed at visit 1 (1987-1989) using food frequency questionnaires.

Adequate vitamin D status is associated with the reduced odds of prevalent diabetic retinopathy in African Americans and Caucasians.

Background: Vitamin D status has been hypothesized to protect against development of diabetic retinopathy via its anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo studies suggest vitamin D favorably influences blood pressure and blood glucose control, strong risk factors for diabetic retinopathy. We examined the association between vitamin D status and prevalent diabetic retinopathy in participants with diabetes from a population-based cohort.

Dietary Intake of Lutein and Diabetic Retinopathy in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC).

Purpose: We tested the hypothesis that dietary intake of lutein is inversely associated with prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and location within the retina.

Methods: We used logistic regression to examine the association between prevalent DR and energy-adjusted lutein intake by quartile (Q) using data collected from 1430 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) participants with diabetes (n = 994 white, n = 508 black). DR was assessed from 45° non-mydriatic retinal photographs of one randomly chosen eye taken at visit 3 (1993-1995).

Association of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin d concentrations and pathogenic oral bacteria in postmenopausal females.

Background: Previous findings of an association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and periodontal disease may be partially explained by the antimicrobial properties of vitamin D. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has investigated the association between 25(OH)D and pathogenic oral bacteria, a putative cause of periodontal disease.

Methods: The association between plasma 25(OH)D concentrations and pathogenic oral bacteria was examined among postmenopausal females in the Buffalo Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease Study (1997 to 2000), an ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study.