The leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a deterioration of the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula. Currently, about 1.75 million U.S. residents have advanced AMD with that number expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020.
AMD can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as reading and driving. But the disease is manageable. Although there is currently no cure for AMD, there are several methods designed to slow or even stop the eye disease from progressing.
Home Remedies to Slow the Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
1. Eating Green, Leafy Vegetables: A diet rich in vitamins, like those found in green, leafy vegetables, may help slow the progression of AMD.
2. Taking Supplements: Similar to the above recommendation, taking supplements like antioxidant vitamins and zinc cab help delay vision loss. But check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
3. Eating Fish: A good source of omega-3 fatty acids, fish may lower your chances of getting AMD.
4. Limiting Fat Intake: An abundance of saturated fats could actually increase your risk of developing AMD.
5. Getting Regular Exercise: Maintaining a healthy weight could help lower the risk of developing wet AMD, one of the two forms of AMD.
6. Using an Amsler Grid: If you have AMD, you should check the vision in both eyes daily using an Amsler Grid. And if you notice your vision worsening, it is important to call your eye doctor as soon as possible.
7. Regular Visits with the Eye Doctor: AMD can advance so slowly that individuals initially notice little change in their vision. Other times, AMD progresses more rapidly and may even lead to vision loss in both eyes. This is why regular eye exams are so important.
Living with AMD and the resulting vision loss doesn’t have to be debilitating. There are several ways you can adjust your lifestyle to keep your quality of life as much as possible. Work with your eye doctor to find ways to best use your remaining vision.
To learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
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I’ve been worried about my chances for getting macular degeneration after my mother started suffering from it. Knowing about these different remedies for slowing its progression before I’m as old as my mom will help me improve my eye health. I’m pretty sure that I haven’t been getting enough antioxidants and zinc in my diet, so getting the nutrients that I need by taking supplements is something that I should start doing now. I’ll also make sure to get enough omega-3 fatty acids to help decrease my risk of developing macular degeneration. Thanks for the tips!