Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision by affecting the macula in a tiny part of the retina at the back of the eyes.

A study of 1,313 women showed that postmenopausal women younger than 75, who had the highest level of active form of vitamin D in their blood stream (at least 75 nmol/L) had a 59 percent lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, compared to women with the lowest vitamin D intake (38 nmol/L or lower).

The women who had a blood vitamin D level higher than 38 nmol/L had a 48% decreased risk of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), researchers wrote in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology. However, a blood level of 50 nmol/L is considered sufficient.

In other words, that risk was lowest when patients consumed 720 international units of Vitamin D per day, found Dr. Amy Millen and colleagues at the University of Buffalo.

The scientists say that their study is the second to find an association between age-related macular degeneration and vitamin D levels. However, more researches are needed to verify the new study’s results.