DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

A healthy, highly unsaturated fatty acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid) that is found in foods (e.g., tuna, salmon) and dietary supplements, implicated in photoreceptor function.

DHA is a highly unsaturated fatty acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid) that is greatly concentrated in rod photoreceptor cells. Foundation-supported scientists have found that patients with some forms of RP and Usher syndrome have lowered serum levels of DHA. Clinical trials are currently in progress to test whether DHA used as a nutritional supplement can slow the progression of X-linked RP, the dominant form of Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome and age-related macular degeneration. If you use nutritional supplementation, please consult with your personal physician and ophthalmologist as your personal health situation may require monitoring or a non-typical approach and nutritional supplements may interfere with prescribed medicines.