Ways You Can Reduce Your Chances of Getting Macular Degeneration

Written By: Jay Pepose | January 29, 2010

As the baby boomers are getting older and living longer, we may be seeing more and more age-related eye problems—one of which is age-related macular degeneration. This conditions affects the part of the retina called the macula, which, like the film of a camera, “develops” the central visual image and sends the signal onto the brain where we perceive sight. Many of my patients who have members of their immediate family with macular degeneration become concerned with their own risk and have asked me what they can do to reduce their chances of acquiring this condition.

While we cannot alter our genes, there are a number of things that can do in an effort to modify and reduce the risk of macular degeneration or having mild forms of the disease progress to more advanced forms.

• Stop smoking or, if not possible, cut back on cigarettes
• Eat more fish per week
• Take vitamin supplements which contain lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and/or omega-3
• Reduce your Body Mass Index: try to lose weight
• Protect your eyes from sunlight: wear UV-protecting sunglasses when outdoors
• Control your cholesterol level
• Control your blood pressure level
• Increase your macular pigment level, which may be possible through consumption of egg yolks

Bausch and Lomb has a useful website, where you can estimate your own personal risk of macular degeneration and also the impact of changes in diet or lifestyle that may reduce the risk. It is available at www.bauschjoyofsight.com. There are new treatment options for the wet form of macular degeneration and many potential drugs in the pipeline. It is important to do everything we can in regard to diet and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of macular degeneration as much as possible. Further information about macular degeneration is available on our website at http://www.peposevision.com/3deye.php. While there is no substitute for a thorough eye examination, some patients monitor for changes in their central vision at home by the use of Amsler grid testing. The Amsler chart can be printed out for home use, and is available at http://www.macular.org/chart.html.

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