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.
