7 Ways to Fight Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is an age-related disease of the eye which can result in partial blindness. The macula, a small spot in the middle of the retina, controls the center of the field of vision. If one eye is unaffected, it may compensate for the other eye’s loss of vision, so the sufferer may not even notice macular degeneration in its early stages. The first manifestation of the problem may well be at the ophthalmologist’s office when the patient realizes he cannot see the letters on the chart when he looks directly at them. Although there is no cure for the disease, there are ways to slow its progress. Here are some ways to fight back:
1): Make yearly (or more) visits to your ophthalmologist. As you age, other things, like retinal diseases, glaucoma and cataracts, may also affect your vision. You need an eye doctor’s help to keep it all sorted out. Your doctor can help you keep track of the progress of all of these diseases and discuss the best plan of action for you.
2): The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that it is safe to take aspirin in the setting of macular degeneration and does not make neovascular AMD (age-related macular degeneration) worse. Talk to both your ophthalmologist and your MD about the medicines you are taking.
3): Ask your ophthalmologist about medications that are designed to slow the progress of macular degeneration. If you are already taking a fish oil supplement, he might suggest you increase the dose. There are also vitamins available that are designed especially for eye health. These are called ocular formulas and contain the supplements that the aging eye needs to stay healthy. These powerful supplements may contain up to 10 times the dose of anti-oxidants, like Vitamin E, the food and drug administration recommends, so you should ask your doctor for his opinion about them.
4): Eliminate certain foods. Macular degeneration begins with a build-up of debris or waste products on the retina and much of that debris is cholesterol-laden fatty deposits. The more you eat of this stuff, the more it will wind up in your eyes. Also, research has shown that hyperglycemic diets trigger macular degeneration so cut down on sugar, potatoes, white rice, and white bread.
5): Add certain foods. The same foods that make a healthy body also keep the eyes in good shape. Whole grain foods, like brown bread and brown rice, keep your sugar levels down and your eyes sharp. Eating cold water fish three times a week will add Omega 3 acids to your blood stream. Cooking with mono-unsaturated fats like olive or canola oil helps fight cholesterol build up.
6): A work-out every day is good for your heart and great for your eyes. You’ve just consumed all of those healthy supplements and anti-oxidants, now it’s time to get the blood flowing to carry those nutrients to the eyes. They will thank you for it.
7): Keep informed. New ideas and treatments are being tried all the time. You should keep abreast of the latest developments in the fight against macular degeneration. The more you know about this disease, the better you can fight it.
If you are diagnosed with macular degeneration, don’t give up without a fight. Right now, there is no cure. However, by taking action today and consulting with a retina specialist and following some of the above steps, you can slow its progress and lessen its impact.