Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition that gradually compromises central vision. This happens when the macula in your retina breaks down, leading to blurry or unclear central vision.

Studies indicate that eating foods rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals, such as those found in Mediterranean-style diets, may slow macular degeneration. According to these studies, Mediterranean-style diets reduce the risk of advanced AMD such as geographic atrophy and large drusen formation.

Vitamin A

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition in which the macula, located at the back of your eye, loses its ability to function effectively and therefore affects central vision; making straight lines appear crooked or wavy and impairing straight-line accuracy. Affected millions worldwide, AMD is usually irreversible.

People with a family history of macular degeneration are at increased risk for it themselves, yet consuming an ample variety of green leafy vegetables, berries and fruits can lower this risk as well as help slow its progression from dry AMD to wet AMD.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak blood and fluid into the macula, creating more severe degeneration than its dry form and leading to rapid vision loss. Anyone at risk should visit their physician regularly for exams and follow-up appointments, in order to monitor this potentially blinding disease.

Researchers have discovered that eating more vegetables, particularly dark-greens, berries and other fruits as well as omega-3 fatty acids, may reduce your risk of wet AMD. They have also found that supplementing with antioxidant vitamins and minerals may slow the progression from dry AMD to wet AMD; it’s wise to consult your physician first as some may not be suitable.

Vitamin C

Medical researchers from University College London have recently discovered that eating nutritiously and taking specific antioxidant vitamins and minerals may slow the progression of age related macular degeneration, an eye disease marked by the gradual deterioration of the macula–the central part of retina that allows us to clearly see fine details–that affects more people than cataracts or glaucoma combined and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among those over 60. A new case is diagnosed every three minutes.

Macular degeneration refers to the breakdown of the macula, the central area of retina that transmits visual images to your brain for reading, driving, riding a bicycle and performing daily activities such as reading. As it progresses, central vision becomes gradually less clear with straight lines appearing wavy; eventually making reading or driving difficult or impossible altogether – while peripheral vision usually remains unchanged.

Studies published in JAMA Ophthalmology revealed that increasing your daily dietary intake of several nutrients, including vitamins C and zinc as well as lutein and omega-3 fatty acids is linked with decreased risks of late AMD progression and large drusen development linked with wet macular degeneration. Consuming more vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole grains also reduced rates of AMD when compared with an American diet low in these essential components of nutrition; additionally the authors recommend further investigation of genetic-nutrient combinations as well as random trials of supplemented interventions as interventions that enhance individual risk reduction of late AMD progression.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E has experienced immense popularity since it was discovered to be an important antioxidant and preventive against free radical damage to membrane lipids in the 1980s. Vitamin E works by scavenging free radicals, neutralizing them through release of loose electrons, and binding tightly with other molecules to stop further oxidation from happening. Furthermore, its benefits also help strengthen natural defenses against diseases like cancer and vision loss in addition to strengthening natural body defenses against diseases that attack them such as Alzheimer’s.

Eat foods rich in vitamin E like spinach, kale and nuts to obtain optimal amounts. Supplementation may also be an option if they do not receive enough in their daily diets.

Studies demonstrate that higher vitamin E consumption is related to reduced progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration, particularly geographic atrophy and large drusen formation. Furthermore, it’s linked with decreased risks of neovascular AMD when combined with omega-3 fatty acids or beta carotene supplementation.

Vitamin E is also essential for the central nervous system and a lack of this nutrient has been reported to lead to weakness in legs and arms, along with numbness and tingling in hands and feet (sensory neuropathy). Vitamin E deficiency in animals often results in nutritional myopathy (white muscle disease), inducing oxidative damage that destroys nerve cells leading to muscle atrophy and muscle waste.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are naturally-occurring pigments found in fruits, vegetables, algae, and plants. As members of tetraterpenoids with 40 carbon atoms arranged in conjugated double bonds system they are naturally produced through photosynthesis by condensation reactions within plant cell plastids; and their role is photosynthesis as well as cell protection. Studies conducted on populations that consume high levels of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lycopene, or lutein may help decrease chronic conditions such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases risk.

Lutein and zeaxanthin act together as antioxidants to defend against retinal damage from oxidation. Both can be found readily available as nutritional supplements, and studies have suggested they reduce the risk of age related macular degeneration.

Researchers recently demonstrated that increasing intakes of vegetables rich in carotenoids and fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces progression of late AMD and large drusen. This conclusion is drawn from post hoc analyses from two controlled clinical trials known as Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study (AREDS) and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study II (AREDS2). Participants in these trials reported their dietary patterns regularly to fundus photography to measure progression of late AMD or large drusen formation; participants were then evaluated periodically for progression by fundus photography or fundus photography to detect progress of late AMD progress or large drusen formation by fundus photography or fundus photography and fundus photography evaluation techniques. Adherence to Mediterranean Diet patterns was associated with less progression of late AMD while higher intake of leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, avocados or fatty fish was protective.

Fatty Acids

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease affecting the macula, the light-sensitive retina located at the back of your eye. AMD causes central vision to gradually worsen, which may make reading, driving and recognising faces and colors difficult. Although AMD is very common and only diagnoseable through regular sight check examination, its first signs include yellow deposits known as drusen appearing under your retina – an early telltale sign.

Studies have linked diet with AMD, specifically consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Because the body only produces limited quantities of essential fatty acids on its own, obtaining these essential nutrients from food sources is key.

Diets that limit processed meat, refined carbohydrates and sugar-laden beverages while providing more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may help lower your risk of AMD. Studies have also demonstrated the efficacy of taking lutein and zeaxanthin supplements as a means of slowing the progression of advanced AMD; recently the AREDS2 Research Group tested whether adding omega-3 fatty acids would further delay advanced AMD. Positive results demonstrated a reduction of 21% when added together.

Nutrients

The macula is the area of retina in the back of our eye that allows us to see fine detail, drive a car or read. It contains light-sensing nerves as well as blood vessels providing oxygen and nutrients essential for healthy eyes, including sending images directly into our brain for interpretation. Macular degeneration can cause central vision to fade making reading, driving or seeing faces or colors more challenging; however it can be mitigated through diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals.

Recent large studies found that eating 200g vegetables daily, two servings of fruit each day and two fish dishes every week significantly lowered the risk of AMD, even though age, smoking and family history all increase its occurrence. This diet also contains high concentrations of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin that may slow down macular degeneration. Researchers believe their findings warrant further investigation into nutritional supplements for treating age related macular degeneration. AREDS (Ownership: Australian Research Eye Disease Study) was funded by the Australian government and featured annual fundus photography visits with participants being administered a 170-item food frequency questionnaire to collect their dietary data.