A Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of the most common cause of poor eyesight in older people, according to new Australian research.

A study from the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) found that people who consume at least 100 millilitres of olive oil a week are almost 50 per cent less likely to develop macular degeneration than those who eat less than 1 millilitre per week.

The study also found that people who eat other foods which are rich in omega-3 fatty-acids, such as fish and nuts, are 15 per cent less likely to develop macular degeneration.

The report’s author, Dr Elaine Chong said olive oil contains a number of protective elements that contribute to eye health.

“Olive oil is rich in powerful antioxidants like vitamin E. It also contains an anti-inflammatory component, similar to ibuprofen, which helps protect the blood vessels in the eye,” said Dr Chong.

“A diet rich in olive oil and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids such as oily fish varieties like salmon and tuna, and nuts may help protect your eyes against diseases such as [macular degeneration].”

Once diagnosed, there are few treatment options for macular degenerations and researchers say a better understanding of the disease’s risk factors is crucial.

To conduct the study, researchers analysed the diet of 6,700 people aged 58 to 69 years old in the early 1990s.

Participants were then tracked for the development of macular degeneration between 2003 and 2006.