Macular degeneration is an eye condition that affects the macula of the retina and causes central vision loss as straight lines become wavy.

Anemia can make reading, driving and recognising faces challenging; however it generally doesn’t lead to complete blindness. Natural treatments such as Lutein supplements and carotenoid vitamins may alleviate symptoms and aid recovery.

1. Diet

Macular degeneration is a prevalent eye condition, affecting over 10 million Americans. It destroys the central part of the retina (an inner layer that converts light into electrical impulses) which results in blurry central vision needed for reading, driving and other tasks. Although severe, this loss does not lead to complete blindness – several natural and home remedies exist that can slow macular degeneration progression and improve overall eye health, such as eating healthily, maintaining an ideal weight, quitting smoking, protecting eyes from UV radiation exposure and regularly monitoring vision changes.

Macular degeneration can be treated naturally through diet. A diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E as well as omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and nuts is ideal. Leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach contain lutein and zeaxanthin which protect against macular degeneration; research shows that people who eat three or more servings of green leafy vegetables weekly have lower risks of dry macular degeneration.

Carrots are an excellent source of eye-healthy nutrients, such as beta-carotene which converts into vitamin A in your body and can help your vision. A large carrot provides over double of the daily recommended vitamin A intake. Incorporating foods high in zinc like chicken and beef into your diet may also lower risk for cataracts or age-related macular degeneration.

Consuming a low-glycemic index diet is also key to protecting the overall health of your eyes. By eating whole grains, berries, fruits, and vegetables from this category of diet plan, diabetes-induced vision loss may be reduced and potentially reversed.

As with anything, rest is vital to maintaining eye health. If you spend long hours working on close-up tasks, try taking breaks every 20 minutes by looking far away for 20 seconds – this should also include scheduling regular dilated eye exams with your eye care specialist to ensure you’re receiving optimal treatment for macular degeneration.

2. Exercise

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness among those over 50, may be prevented or delayed with diet and exercise. According to University of Cincinnati eye doctors, certain antioxidant vitamins and minerals, along with eating lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish and some herbs, can help mitigate or even reverse damage due to macular degeneration.

Diets rich in leafy greens, yellow and orange vegetables and various fruits are key for maintaining eye health. The nutrients found in these foods will protect your eyes from both dry and wet forms of AMD; for optimal eye care it is also advised that daily supplements of vitamin C, E, lutein zeaxanthin zinc be taken as part of a healthy lifestyle routine.

Research has demonstrated the efficacy of exercise as an aid in the fight against macular degeneration. A study with 3,800 participants, in which those who ran an average of 4 km or 2.5 miles daily for five days reduced their risk by 19% compared with those who didn’t run, with researchers attributing this protective effect to brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein within our bodies, which has been shown to enhance cognitive performance, delay Alzheimer’s onset and aid recovery from peripheral nerve injuries in animals.

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood, blurring or distorting your central vision. This form of AMD accounts for roughly 10 percent of cases and typically affects those aged over 65; it does not lead to complete blindness as wet macular degeneration only affects your central vision and not side or peripheral vision.

Researchers have discovered that certain types of wet macular degeneration can be effectively addressed using laser surgery or photodynamic therapy, using laser light or photon therapy to slow or stop the growth of blood vessels that damage macula cells and cause vision loss. If you suffer from wet macular degeneration, consulting an ophthalmologist for guidance in adapting to new levels of vision as well as support services and low-vision rehabilitation programs is also helpful.

3. Quit Smoking

Smoking may be well known to cause lung cancer, but many remain unaware of its other damaging effects – particularly to their eyes. Cigarette smoke contains toxic elements like tar, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and heavy metals which reduce blood flow to your eyes, leading to cataracts or macular degeneration if you don’t quit smoking immediately. These effects of smoking can be reversed simply by breaking this habit!

Research shows that current smokers have a greater risk of wet macular degeneration than non-smokers, and this increased risk increases with each pack-year smoked. It is thought this is because smoking causes pigment formation within the retina that leads to abnormal blood vessels developing underneath, potentially leaking and impairing central vision but not peripherally affecting peripheral vision.

The macula requires one of the highest blood flow rates in the body for optimal functioning; anything that interferes with this supply can cause it to malfunction. Smoking decreases this flow by narrowing and thickening blood vessels as well as encouraging plaque buildup along their walls – all factors which contribute to wet macular degeneration.

Wet macular degeneration is less frequent than dry macular degeneration, and can often be reversed with regular dilated eye exams. An ophthalmologist will be able to detect early macular degeneration by looking through special lenses at retinal cells; then use a YAG laser to open a tiny hole in a macular scar and improve blood flow through it in order to reduce progression of wet macular degeneration.

Recent findings of a pilot study indicate that optometrists should stress to their patients the importance of stopping smoking as well as eating diets high in antioxidants for slowing macular degeneration (AMD). Unfortunately, only a small portion of participants knew about smoking’s role in contributing to AMD.

4. Protect Your Eyes

Macular degeneration can be prevented through various strategies, but diet is perhaps the most important of them all. Eating plenty of antioxidant vitamins such as C and E as well as carotenoids will help slow its progression and protect your eyesight from macular degeneration.

Studies have demonstrated the value of eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids to decrease macular degeneration risk. Studies also show these foods to have anti-progression properties as they contain large amounts of these essential fatty acids that could slow disease progression.

Diets rich in leafy vegetables and brightly-colored fruits and vegetables may also prove helpful, since these foods contain essential macular degeneration-protecting nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin – such as spinach, kale and collard greens – while nutritional supplements rich in these antioxidants may also provide significant assistance.

Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as these habits can exacerbate macular degeneration. Instead, exercise regularly and get enough rest. If you’re concerned about macular degeneration, consult with an eye doctor who may suggest medications like AREDS-2 that could slow its progress.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties; dry and wet. While dry macular degeneration typically progresses gradually, wet forms can develop quickly. They typically involve yellow deposits called drusen accumulating under the retina that cause visual loss by eventually leading to macula atrophy and subsequent vision loss.

Wet macular degeneration can be treated successfully by either laser surgery or injections of drugs to inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina. Although these therapies have proven successful for many patients, no guarantee can be made as to whether or not your vision will be restored.

Macular degeneration is a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness. More prevalent among older individuals, symptoms may include blurriness in central vision or distortions that make reading difficult – if this sounds familiar it’s important that you consult your physician immediately!