Macular degeneration is the leading cause of age-related Blindness.

Facts on Macular Degeneration:

  • Loss of central vision
  • 90% dry form (slower progression and less severe)
  • 10% wet form (more rapid progression and more severe)
  • Currently no cure,  the key is to slow down progression, so early detection is therefore crucial

Risk Factors:

  • Family history of macular degeneration (ARMD)
  • Age greater than 50 (especially females)
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking and history of Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Poor nutrition
  • Sun or UV exposure

Symptoms:

  • Blurry and distorted vision
  • Central blind spot

Treatments:

  • Lutein/Vitamin supplement. Some of the vitamin supplements available on the market include Macula 2 Essentials, Vitalux and PreserVision
  • Laser treatment (for wet form)
  • Anti-VEGF injections (for wet form)

Prevention:

  • UV protection: sunglasses that block out 99-100% of UVA and UVB
  • Healthy diet high in fruits (kiwi, grapes, oranges) and green leafy vegetables (broccoli, spinach and collard green)
  • No Smoking

For more information, please go to National Eye Institute.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *