Macular degeneration affects only the central portion of the retina – an essential eye structure essential to clear vision – without impacting peripheral, or side, vision.

AMD (age-related macular degeneration) occurs from a gradual breakdown of essential eye cells. Another form, wet macular degeneration, results from abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid and blood.

Vitamins and Minerals

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, often occurring when retinal cells break down and distort central vision, making it hard to read, drive and perform other tasks that require precise straight-ahead sight.

Researchers have discovered that certain vitamins and minerals can aid in slowing the progression of macular degeneration. Supplements containing Vitamin C, E, zinc, Lutein and Zeaxanthin may lower your risk of vision loss from macular degeneration and keep the retina healthy – all can be found in fruits, vegetables and some supplements.

Diet is the key to getting essential vitamins. Eat foods rich in antioxidants like dark green vegetables and brightly-colored fruits; include meats and fish along with whole grains and beans to ensure adequate protein intake; don’t forget your milk!

Avoid smoking and stay hydrated – studies have demonstrated that drinking more water may slow the rate of vision loss for those suffering from macular degeneration.

Eye doctors typically inform their patients that macular degeneration cannot be reversed, yet new research indicates there may be ways to slow its progress with lifestyle modifications like increasing physical activity, eating a diet rich in antioxidants and avoiding sunlight.

Retinavites, an antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplement, was recently shown to significantly slow the progression of advanced macular degeneration in people living with dry age-related macular degeneration. Seven trials involved randomly assigning 4,119 participants with either placebo pills or an antioxidant mix containing lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc micronutrients.

These micronutrients can be found in leafy green vegetables and fruits such as spinach, kale, turnip greens, collard greens, peas, avocados, broccoli and squash. Omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna as well as walnuts may help lower risk for advanced macular degeneration.

Exercise

Age related macular degeneration (AMD), is one of the main causes of blindness among senior citizens. AMD occurs when light sensitive cells in the center of your retina at the back of your eye (the macula) stop functioning, leading to central vision blurring or disappearing altogether, leaving black spots and gaps in your visual field that interfere with daily tasks like driving or reading.

Macular degeneration currently does not have a cure; however, there are treatments that can slow its progress and protect vision from further loss. These include eating a nutritious diet, quitting smoking and using sunglasses when out in bright sunlight to protect eyes from UV and blue light radiation; in addition to vitamins and mineral supplements that may assist.

Recent studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of exercise in lowering the risk of macular degeneration. A British Journal of Ophthalmology study demonstrated this correlation, showing that people who regularly engaged in three or more fitness sessions per week were significantly less likely to develop macular degeneration compared to those who didn’t exercise at all. Researchers believe this is likely due to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an active chemical found within your body which becomes upregulated during aerobic exercises such as running or cycling, which helps slow macular degeneration over time.

Visudyne (Photodynamic Therapy, or PDT), another effective and safe treatment for wet macular degeneration, may also be administered. PDT involves injecting small doses into your arm before activating it with a non-thermal laser in your eye to produce chemical reactions which destroy abnormal blood vessels and may improve vision.

Signs of macular degeneration should include dimmed vision, black spots in your field of vision and difficulty seeing straight lines. It is wise to visit an ophthalmologist or optometrist if these symptoms arise; an eye exam can identify whether you have dry or wet AMD and require treatment; alternatively a simple test known as an Amsler grid can detect early-stage macular degeneration that requires treatment.

Diet

Macular degeneration is a progressive condition that gradually affects one’s central vision, making tasks such as reading or driving more challenging. Although macular degeneration (AMD) doesn’t typically cause complete blindness, individuals with AMD typically retain useful peripheral vision. While medical treatments can help minimize its impact, research suggests healthy diet and lifestyle changes offer greater hope in terms of slowing its progress.

Macular degeneration’s exact cause remains unknown, though experts suspect a variety of factors contribute to its development, including age, family history of disease, smoking and poor nutrition. Macular health requires high rates of blood flow; anything that interferes with this can contribute to macular degeneration; this includes smoking which causes plaque build-up along blood vessels which feed retina and high-fat foods which increase buildup on vessel walls causing blockages that impede circulation – both which decrease eye health.

Macular degeneration usually takes two forms. Dry, which involves the gradual thinning of retina tissues and deposits of pigment in the macula, is by far the most prevalent type. About 10% of cases develop wet macular degeneration which involves abnormal blood vessel formation underneath the retina that leak blood and fluid into central vision, ultimately leading to vision loss.

Treatment of wet macular degeneration typically includes anti-VEGF drugs or thermal laser treatment to improve vision and lessen the risk of severe vision loss. Wet macular degeneration can progress rapidly; to monitor your eyes carefully using an Amsler grid is recommended and discuss regular visits with your healthcare provider.

Studies suggest that eating foods rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, berries, leafy greens, nuts, etc. can be protective against macular degeneration and other oxidative stress-related diseases, like AMD. Other strategies for macular degeneration prevention include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and protecting eyes from UV radiation – these simple changes could greatly decrease your risk.

Sunglasses

The macula is a small area in the center of our retina that allows us to see straight lines, objects and faces clearly as well as read, drive and engage in other activities that require central vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among adults over 55. Macular Degeneration occurs when the central retinal pigment epithelium (CRE) becomes compromised, leading to a loss of visual sharpness and, typically, both eyes being affected by it. Macular Degeneration symptoms typically include distortion of straight lines, difficulty seeing objects up close and an inability to distinguish colors – while peripheral vision remains unaffected. There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet macular degenerations with dry being less severe and not leading to complete blindness, while wet AMD can lead to total blindness.

Macular degeneration (MD) can be caused by certain genes, lifestyle habits and environmental factors; these risk factors are considered modifiable – meaning you can alter them to lower the chances of AMD developing in yourself or someone close to you. Smoking poses one such risk factor; you should therefore limit or avoid secondhand smoke exposure whenever possible and exercise and diet may help lower that risk factor as well.

Diets high in fruits and vegetables may help lower your risk of macular degeneration by providing essential vitamins and minerals essential for eye health. Furthermore, regular eye exams as well as sunglasses that protect from UV rays that could harm retinas are also vitally important.

Macular degeneration typically presents with blurry or distorted central vision and, occasionally, a black spot in the center of one’s field of vision. Over time, this progressive disorder will make reading or driving increasingly difficult as well as difficult to recognize faces or colors. Macular degeneration will eventually impair your ability to walk, cook or work.

Visudyne drug therapy (Photodynamic Therapy, or PDT) can provide one effective option for wet macular degeneration treatment, including Visudyne drug injection into one arm followed by treatment with non-thermal laser beams shining into your eyes to activate Visudyne and destroy abnormal blood vessels that leak blood and fluid under the retina, improving vision in 15% of treated patients while slowing progression of their disease.