At present, there is no known solution for wet AMD (a progressive form of macular degeneration that causes vision loss). People living with wet macular degeneration develop new, abnormal blood vessels which leak fluid and damage the macula causing further degeneration.

However, there are ways you can help stop macular degeneration from worsening or at least slow its progress. Eating healthily, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and wearing sunglasses are just some of the steps you can take to lower your risk.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition that can result in significant vision loss, particularly central vision. Affecting the macula–an area of retina responsible for controlling reading, driving and other tasks such as playing music–this disease cannot be reversed but measures can be taken to slow its progress and possibly avoid permanent blindness such as eating healthily, regularly exercising, not smoking and scheduling routine eye exams. While no cure exists yet for AMD, steps can be taken to help delay further progression such as eating healthily eating healthy diet, regularly exercising without smoking and scheduling regular eye exams with professional.

Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish can lower your risk of macular degeneration. Many of these foods contain carotenoids – antioxidants which protect eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two key carotenoids for eye protection; you’ll find them in green leafy vegetables, eggs and nuts. Aim to get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day or take a multivitamin with these antioxidants included.

Studies show that eating certain vitamins and minerals may slow the progression of dry macular degeneration, as well as potentially prevent its more advanced wet form. Such supplements include zinc, vitamins C & E as well as lutein and zeaxanthin – the National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARED) studies demonstrated this trend – by providing more of these essential nutrients, they stopped progression of advanced AMD in both eyes.

These essential nutrients can be found in many different food sources; if your diet does not supply them enough, speak to your eye doctor about taking a multivitamin that contains them as well as wearing sunglasses that block blue light (which can contribute to macular degeneration). Finally, macular degeneration prevention sunglasses may also help.

Visit an eye doctor regularly for comprehensive eye exams to detect macular degeneration at its early stages and start treatment that may slow its progress. In addition, keep a watchful eye on family members for signs and symptoms of AMD so that you can intervene immediately if any develop problems.

By following these tips, you can slow the progression of macular degeneration and thereby prevent serious vision loss. By detecting macular degeneration early, anti-VEGF injections may stop blood vessels that leak bloodstream causing wet macular degeneration from leaking further.

Exercise Regularly

Macular degeneration is the gradual loss of vision caused by macular degeneration in older individuals due to changes in the retina (the light-sensitive inner layer of the eye), leading to irreversible central vision loss in Americans over age 55. It occurs when ageing eyes struggle with producing enough pigment to filter harmful ultraviolet rays from sunlight, leading to blurred or distorted central vision that gradually worsens over time. Although there is no cure for macular degeneration, preventive measures may help slow its progress and delay its onset.

Diet and exercise can help slow the progression of macular degeneration. Diet rich in antioxidants – like those found in green leafy vegetables, berries, oranges and red/yellow/orange peppers – has been shown to lower your risk of AMD over time, while adding vitamin supplements like lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc may reduce it by 19% and delay wet macular degeneration by 10%.

Early macular degeneration may not produce any symptoms; however, as soon as it progresses to intermediate or late wet macular degeneration stages, straight lines may start appearing wavy or curvy, signaling to you to visit an eye doctor immediately.

Wet macular degeneration can be treated using anti-VEGF drugs injected directly into the eye. Anti-VEGF injections may help slow its progress and even restore some vision that has been lost over time. Your eye care provider will guide you in selecting an appropriate drug, while these injections are generally quick, safe and straightforward; administered in office using a small needle by their staff – helping preserve vision quality as well as life quality!

Avoid Smoking

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among older people aged 65 or above, typically progressing through multiple stages with loss of central vision as its hallmark symptom. Although no treatment options are currently available that can reverse AMD progression, patients can take several steps to enhance their quality of life while this disease progresses.

Smoking is an important contributor to both dry and wet macular degeneration, with current and former smokers at much greater risk than nonsmokers of developing it. Secondhand smoke may also increase this likelihood; by giving up smoking altogether, individuals can drastically decrease their chance of macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration can be prevented through diet and lifestyle, with supplements that contain zinc, vitamins C & E as well as carotenoids such as beta-carotene being particularly effective.

One way a person can protect their eyes is to consume a diet rich in essential nutrients and include fish as part of the daily meal plan. Studies have demonstrated that those who regularly consume more nutrients have lower rates of macular degeneration compared to those who don’t consume as many of these essentials nutrients.

Early stage AMD, also known as dry macular degeneration, usually shows no symptoms; doctors only become aware of it upon inspecting an eye and finding signs of thinning or yellow deposits called drusen under the retina. People with large or numerous close together drusen may develop wet macular degeneration where abnormal blood vessels form beneath their retina and begin to leak fluid or bleed; untreated wet AMD may lead to permanent vision loss through scarring of retina tissue and scarring over time.

There may not be an effective solution available to reverse the effects of wet AMD, however there has been significant success with new laser therapy that works by dismantling blood vessels that leak. Meanwhile, it is important to monitor your vision regularly using an Amsler grid, a series of straight lines which could become distorted if there is fluid under the retina.

Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses may seem like just another fashionable accessory, but they actually provide vital eye protection against UV rays that can contribute to macular degeneration and its progression, helping maintain eye health and vision health in general.

Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can have serious adverse effects on the retina of your eye, leading to macular degeneration, cataracts and other serious eye conditions. Wearing sunglasses equipped with UV filters as well as wearing brimmed hats or caps with wide brims is one way to significantly limit UV radiation exposure.

Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness and central vision loss in America, impacting millions over age 50. While there is no cure, lifestyle modifications and regular eye exams may help slow its progress and avoid wet macular degeneration from occurring.

Dry macular degeneration is the more prevalent form of macular degeneration and results from an accumulation of yellow lipid deposits known as drusen beneath the macula, eventually leading to gradual erosion and thinned retinal layers which blur and distort central vision over time. Wet macular degeneration occurs less frequently but more quickly; its impact may include severe visual impairment that inhibits driving, reading or recognising faces.

Even though macular degeneration cannot be reversed, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and wearing UV protective eyewear may slow its progression. Other preventive measures may include not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight while taking multivitamins that include antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids – in addition to attending regular eye exams.

Eye care specialists can detect early signs of macular degeneration by having you gaze upon a chart with grid lines to check central vision. Many also utilize non-invasive tests known as Amsler grids that help detect early symptoms of macular degeneration.

Preventative steps are never too late when it comes to eye and overall health, so be sure to wear UV-protection eyewear, consume a healthy diet and get regular eye exams to keep your vision as sharp and healthy as possible for years.